Enter any address in Towner County, North Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flood events, including flash floods, are the primary flood character in Towner County, ND. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 14 flood events and 8 flash flood events. For example, melting snow contributed to overland flooding in May 2013, closing rural roads. More recently, significant snowmelt in March and April 2017, influenced by conditions in southern Manitoba and the Pembina River, led to widespread flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $20,900 and an average water depth of 0.4 feet. Properties in Zone X_Unshaded have also seen claims, averaging $7,778 with a reported water depth of -0.1 feet. One claim was recorded in Zone D, with an average payout of $5,572 and 0.0 feet water depth.
Residents in areas designated as Zone X, Zone X_Unshaded, and Zone D should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Towner County, North Dakota has recorded 22 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 8 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 28 federal disaster declarations, 14 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2023)
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 | Severe Storm | May 17, 2013 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 22, 2013 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 5, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Feb 14, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 13, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Mar 30, 2017 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2017 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2016 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Apr 28, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2010 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Mar 22, 2009 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2009 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2007 | 0.00K |
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 ...
Flash Flood — Aug 3, 2016
By mid to late afternoon of August 3rd, a cold front had moved into central North Dakota. Ahead of the cold front, a warm front extended out to the east, or along the Canadian border. This put all of eastern North Dakota and the northwest quarter of Minnesota in the warm sector, where afternoon highs reached into the 80s to around 90, with dew point readings well into the 60s. A ribbon of extre...
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 1, 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.
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 Towner 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 Towner 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.