Enter any address in Cavalier County, North Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flood events, including flash floods, are the primary flood concern in Cavalier County, ND. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 17 flood events and 7 flash flood events. For example, in May 2013, persistent rain brought four to six inches of rain to portions of the county, with one location receiving nine inches. Earlier that spring, in April 2017, a significant snowmelt contributed to overland flooding, closing many rural roads.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone D have experienced an average water depth of 0.2 feet and received an average payout of $32,026. Properties in zones designated as UNKNOWN have had fewer claims, with an average payout of $858 and an average water depth of -1.8 feet. Homeowners in areas identified as Zone D, or those without a known Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cavalier County, North Dakota has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 17 river or area floods. The county has received 26 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 (1969–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 22, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 23, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 17, 2013 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 22, 2013 |
| Flooding | Flood | Feb 14, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 13, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 2, 2007 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Ground Saturation | Severe Storm | Mar 30, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Mar 30, 2017 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2017 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Apr 28, 2013 | 5.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | May 20, 2013 | 200.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 22, 2009 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2009 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2009 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2024
Elevated convection along a warm front caused severe winds, hail, and flash flooding in the area.
Flood — Mar 30, 2017
Over the winter of 2016-2017, the most snow fell across the Devils Lake basin up into northeast North Dakota. By late March 2017, snow water equivalents in this area ranged from 3 to 4 inches, with isolated pockets of 5 inches. There was even more snow in southern Manitoba, and some of this water would come down the Pembina River in northeast North Dakota. A push of warm weather which began on ...
Flood — Apr 1, 2017
Over the winter of 2016-2017, the most snow fell across the Devils Lake basin up into northeast North Dakota. By late March 2017, snow water equivalents in this area ranged from 3 to 4 inches, with isolated pockets of 5 inches. There was even more snow in southern Manitoba, and some of this water would come down the Pembina River in northeast North Dakota. A push of warm weather which began on ...
Flood — Apr 28, 2013
Melting snow caused overland flooding across portions of northeast North Dakota. Many rural roads were closed due to high water from the melting snow.
Flood — May 20, 2013
A vertically stacked low pressure system brought persistent rain across eastern North Dakota. The most rain, four to six inches, fell across portions of Pembina, Cavalier, and Walsh counties. The highest amount, nine inches, fell near Walhalla.
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 Cavalier 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 Cavalier 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.