13,307 flood insurance claims·$259.2M paid·5,641 policies in force
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around North Dakota. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
North Dakota experiences a mixed flood risk profile characterized by a substantial frequency of both general floods and flash floods. Over the past thirty years, NOAA records document 664 flood events resulting in 11 deaths, alongside 557 flash flood events causing 5 deaths.
Recent federal disaster declarations in the state highlight severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes occurring on August 7, 2025. These events underscore the active weather patterns impacting the region alongside traditional flood and flash flood hazards.
The National Flood Insurance Program claim history across FEMA zone categories indicates where residents face the greatest financial exposure and unexpected losses. Zone A accounts for the highest volume of claims with 5,548 filings totaling $94 million paid, averaging $19,833 per claim. Meanwhile, Zone X records 3,833 claims with $112 million paid and a higher average payout of $37,138. Additional claims are distributed across unknown zones (1,531 claims, $5 million paid), shaded Zone X (1,156 claims, $18 million paid), Zone D (731 claims, $18 million paid), unshaded Zone X (504 claims, $13 million paid), and Zone V (4 claims, $0 paid). This distribution shows that while high-risk A zones accumulate the most claims, moderate-to-low risk X zones generate significant payouts, indicating that residents outside primary flood zones still experience costly flood damage and require coverage.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
North Dakota has received 1,423 federal disaster declarations, including 727 flood and coastal storm declarations.
NFIP claims by county, 1978 to date. Source: OpenFEMA. Counties ranked by recorded flood events →
Properties in North Dakota FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
North Dakota had 5,641 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $883 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. North Dakota residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
See the most flood-prone counties in North Dakota →
Select a county to view local flood zone data and disaster history:
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