Enter any address in Ward County, North Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Souris and Des Lacs Rivers, driven by snowmelt and heavy rains, is a primary flood concern in Ward County. Recent events include flooding in April and May 2013, when rapid snowmelt and spring rains caused river levels to rise, impacting homes near Burlington and damaging county roads. Further significant flooding occurred in June 2014, following several days of heavy rainfall, leading to extensive damage and a Federal Disaster Declaration for North Dakota.
In addition to riverine flooding, the county has experienced 15 flash flood events and 10 general flood events over the past 30 years. National Flood Insurance Program data shows a significant number of claims in Zone X, with an average payout of $103,690 and an average water depth of 14.8 feet. Properties in Zone A also have a notable claim history. Residents in areas prone to river overflow, as well as those in Zone X and Zone A, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ward County, North Dakota has recorded 25 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 28 federal disaster declarations, 15 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 25, 2014 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 17, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Apr 29, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 5, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Feb 14, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Feb 26, 2010 |
| 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 | Apr 16, 2023 | 90.00K |
| Flood | Jun 28, 2014 | 618.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2013 | 150.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2013 | 75.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2013 | 350.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2012 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2011 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2011 | 300.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2011 | 5.00M |
| Flood | May 1, 2011 | 100.00M |
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 — Jun 28, 2014
Very heavy rain continued over several days at the end of June. Three to five inches of rain fell from Minot through Sherwood, and from Crosby through Lignite to Stanley. The highest rain amount was seven inches from Renville County. Another high amount was 4.50 inches from Ward County. Damage was extensive. The state of North Dakota requested and was granted a Federal Disaster Declaration as a...
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...
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 Ward 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 Ward 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.