Enter any address in Burleigh County, North Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Burleigh County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 22 flash flood events and 13 general flood events. For example, torrential downpours overwhelmed drainage systems in the Bismarck area on August 13, 2024, leading to flooded businesses and a medical center. Another flash flood event occurred on August 14, 2024, impacting the south side of the city with several feet of water in some streets and flooding basements and trailer homes.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $27,620 and an average water depth of 5.2 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $12,089 and an average water depth of 1.2 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X with lower elevations, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
21 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Burleigh County, North Dakota has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 12 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storm, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 20, 2025 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 5, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Feb 14, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Apr 1, 2010 |
| Flooding | Flood | Feb 26, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 13, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, & Ground Saturation | Flood | Mar 1, 2001 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 14, 2025 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2024 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2024 | 8.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2022 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2019 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2014 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2014 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2013 | 90.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2011 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 14, 2025
A low-pressure center moved north from South Dakota to North Dakota with a warm front lifting to the north. This resulted in strong low-level wind shear over central North Dakota. This shear combined with low cloud bases caused by a high amount of moisture in the lower atmosphere to produce multiple low-topped supercells which produced a low amount of lighting. From these supercells, 20 tornado...
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2024
Very heavy rain over several hours led to the second episode of flash flooding in the Bismarck area in less than 24 hours. This flash flooding was no where near as severe as the day before (13th) and was concentrated on the south side of the city. Several feet of water was flowing through some streets. Some basements took on water and some trailer homes were surrounded by flood waters.
Flash Flood — Aug 13, 2024
Torrential downpours with between two and five inches of rain moved through the Bismarck area as a very slow moving thunderstorm passed over. Storm sewer and drainage systems in the city were overwhelmed by the intense rain rates. Many downtown businesses took on water, resulting in damaged inventory along with business losses due to inaccessibility and time taken to recover. One of the primary...
Flash Flood — Aug 23, 2022
Severe weather developed over central into parts of western North Dakota in an environment of enhanced instability and marginal deep layer shear. Many crops were damaged as hail combined with strong wind gusts. The strongest reported wind gust was 76 mph in Mountrail County, while the largest hail was one inch in diameter and occurred with several of the storms in Oliver, McLean, and Mountrail ...
Flash Flood — Jun 8, 2021
An extended period consisting of two days of continuous severe weather occurred from June 7 through June 8. Thunderstorms initially developed along a warm front over the James River Valley into parts of south central North Dakota where strong instability and deep layer shear were noted. During the evening, a mix of wind and hail damage occurred. The largest hail reported during this period was ...
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 Burleigh 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 Burleigh 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.