Enter any address in McHenry County, North Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Souris (Mouse) and Des Lacs Rivers is a significant flood character for McHenry County. NOAA Storm Events data indicates 10 flood events and 7 flash flood events in the last 30 years. For example, a late season rapid snow melt in April 2013 caused flooding along these rivers, damaging homes and roads. More recently, the spring snow melt of 2023 also led to widespread flooding due to a deep snow pack.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced 21 claims with an average payout of $8,338 and an average water depth of 7.4 feet. Properties in Zone X have also seen claims, with 9 instances averaging $35,547 in payouts and 4.7 feet of water depth. Homeowners in or near riverine floodplains, particularly those in Zone A, should pay close attention to flood risk.
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.
McHenry County, North Dakota has recorded 17 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 32 federal disaster declarations, 17 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1966–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 10, 2023 |
| 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 | Flood | Jun 25, 2014 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 17, 2013 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 22, 2013 |
| Flooding | Flood | Feb 14, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Apr 1, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 16, 2023 | 140.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2013 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2013 | 45.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2013 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2011 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2011 | 5.00M |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2010 | 75.00K |
| Flood | Mar 6, 2009 | 60.00K |
Flood — Apr 16, 2023
The spring snow melt of 2023 saw many areas of flooding over North Dakota due to a record deep snow pack and relatively fast melt. Multiple counties experienced infrastructure damage due to the flooding. In addition, during the morning hours of April 16, a flood death (direct) occurred as a 54 year old female was driving a 2004 Ford Escape along ND Highway 66 near the intersection of 47th Avenu...
Flood — May 1, 2013
A late season rapid snow melt caused flooding along the Souris (Mouse) River and Des Lacs River through north central North Dakota. Additionally, there were necessary releases from upstream dams in North Dakota and Saskatchewan, Canada, due to rapid snow melt there. Homes in the Project Road area near Burlington took on water. Many county and township roads near the river were damaged. This flo...
Flood — Jun 1, 2013
A late season rapid snow melt caused flooding along the Souris (Mouse) River and Des Lacs River through north central North Dakota. Additionally, there were necessary releases from upstream dams in North Dakota and Saskatchewan, Canada, due to rapid snow melt there and additional heavy rains in May and early June. This caused the flooding to continue. Homes in the Project Road area near Burling...
Flood — Apr 1, 2013
A late season rapid snow melt caused flooding along the Souris (Mouse) River and Des Lacs River through north central North Dakota. Additionally, there were necessary releases from upstream dams in North Dakota and Saskatchewan, Canada, due to rapid snow melt there. Homes in the Project Road area near Burlington took on water. Many county and township roads near the river were damaged. This flo...
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2011
A surface cold front advecting from west to east, coupled with a mid level jet streak, combined with abundant moisture and instability to result in widespread thunderstorm activity during the afternoon and evening hours of June 25th. Numerous reports of large hail and several reports of severe thunderstorm wind gusts were received. ||The overall tornado threat was low due to insufficient deep ...
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 McHenry 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 McHenry 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.