Enter any address in Ransom County, North Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Snowmelt flooding is the dominant flood character in Ransom County. Recent events include snowmelt flooding along tributaries in April 2023 and April 2019.
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms has also occurred, with one event noted in July 2022.
Residents in Zone A, which has seen the most NFIP claims with significant water depths, should pay particular attention to flood risk. Homeowners in Zone X also experienced substantial payouts, indicating potential risk even in areas with less defined flood zones.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ransom County, North Dakota has recorded 44 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 26 river or area floods. The county has received 36 federal disaster declarations, 19 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 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, Snowstorm, And Straight-line Winds | Snowstorm | Nov 9, 2022 |
| 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 | Mar 21, 2019 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 5, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 16, 2023 | 64.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 8, 2019 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2016 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2013 | 5.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 21, 2010 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Mar 18, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2010 | 10.00K |
Flood — Apr 16, 2023
Snowmelt flooding along the North Dakota Tributaries began in early to mid-April, with a few locations persisting into early May.
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2022
Isolated severe thunderstorms formed in eastern North Dakota during the early afternoon, then moved into west-central Minnesota during the mid to late afternoon. Hail and thunderstorm wind damage were reported.
Flood — Apr 8, 2019
The winter snow melted first on the Minnesota side of the southern Red River Valley. Visible satellite imagery confirmed this fact, showing a distinct snow free north to south band that extended roughly 20 or so miles east of the Red River from Grant to Wilkin to Clay counties. In Fargo, the snow depth fell to zero on April 6th. However, a blizzard from April 10th to 12th brought more snow to t...
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2016
Late in the morning of August 10th, an east to west oriented warm front was located across central South Dakota into the southern half of Minnesota. Thunderstorms formed quickly north of the warm front, mainly along the North and South Dakota border. These storms initially produced large hail. However, as the storms pushed east of the North and South Dakota border region and into portions of we...
Flash Flood — May 28, 2015
By the afternoon of the 28th, a weak surface low was located over northeast North Dakota with a warm front extending out to the east. Temperatures rose into the mid to upper 70s with dew points in the low 60s. Showers and thunderstorms flared up along the Red River Valley into northwest Minnesota, producing large hail and strong wind gusts.
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 Ransom 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 Ransom 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.