Enter any address in Barnes County, North Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Barnes County. Recent events include localized flash flooding reported on August 5th, 2025, and multiple flash flood events on June 20th, 2013, associated with severe thunderstorms producing heavy rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $8,603. While properties in Zone X also show significant average payouts, the majority of claims originate from Zone A. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay particular attention to flood preparedness.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Barnes County, North Dakota has recorded 31 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 17 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 35 federal disaster declarations, 20 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Aug 7, 2025 |
| Severe Storm, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 20, 2025 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Straight-line Winds | Winter Storm | Dec 25, 2023 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 10, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 22, 2022 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 1, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | Oct 9, 2019 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 21, 2019 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2013 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 1, 2011 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2011 | 25.00K |
| Flood | May 25, 2010 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2010 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Mar 18, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 22, 2009 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 5, 2025
A cluster of thunderstorms produced heavy rain and localized flash flooding over parts of southeast North Dakota during the evening. A wake low developed as this complex moved east with widespread 50 to 55 mph winds reported, and one brief high wind report of 58 mph at Fargo Airport.
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2013
Several upper level disturbances in the southwest flow aloft helped to spark an episode of severe weather across eastern North Dakota and the northwest quarter of Minnesota. Numerous reports of large hail, strong winds, and heavy rain were received across these areas.
Flood — Apr 3, 2011
The winter of 2010-2011 generally brought above normal amounts of snow to the area, but particularly so for the Devils Lake basin, the Sheyenne River basin, and the Wild Rice River basin. By April 1st, snow water equivalents were estimated to be about four to six inches in these areas with about two to four inches elsewhere. A see-saw pattern of temperatures led to a generally slow April snowme...
Flood — Aug 1, 2011
This episode began late in the evening of July 31st and continued into the early morning hours of August 1st, as severe thunderstorms from central North Dakota moved into eastern North Dakota. Many of these storms showed a bow structure, or a structure indicative of strong winds. The storms were also slow movers and several rounds of them tracked over the same area. Hope, ND, was hit by both st...
Flash Flood — Aug 1, 2011
This episode began late in the evening of July 31st and continued into the early morning hours of August 1st, as severe thunderstorms from central North Dakota moved into eastern North Dakota. Many of these storms showed a bow structure, or a structure indicative of strong winds. The storms were also slow movers and several rounds of them tracked over the same area. Hope, ND, was hit by both st...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Barnes County, North Dakota:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Barnes County, North Dakota that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.