Enter any address in Wells County, North Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Wells County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 11 flash flood events and 6 flood events. For example, heavy rains in northeast Wells County led to flash flooding with water flowing over County Highway 5 on June 24, 2022. Earlier, on June 13, 2022, thunderstorms produced strong winds and heavy rain in the region.
While most flood events in Wells County are related to heavy rainfall, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has recorded claims in Zone D, averaging $40,425 per claim with an average water depth of 0.0 feet. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near drainage paths or in lower-lying areas, should remain aware of weather conditions and potential flood risks.
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.
Wells County, North Dakota has recorded 17 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 11 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 29 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 (1969–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storm, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 20, 2025 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 1, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | Oct 9, 2019 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 17, 2013 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 16, 2023 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2022 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2022 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2020 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2019 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2013 | 4.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2011 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2011 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Mar 6, 2009 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2009 | 2.40M |
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...
Flash Flood — Jun 24, 2022
Thunderstorms formed along and near a warm front draped through central North Dakota during the afternoon and early evening hours, with many becoming severe. Early in the event, a tornado formed over south central Wells County, north of Chaseley. The tornado impacted no structures and so there was no damage to evaluate, so was rated EF Unknown by NWS policy. Heavy rains over northeast Wells Cou...
Flash Flood — Jun 13, 2022
Thunderstorms developed over eastern Montana into western North Dakota as a surface trough moved through the area. Although some large hail fell with these storms, strong wind gusts became the main impact. The strongest winds were estimated at 90 mph in and around the city of Martin in Sheridan County, where multiple large trees were uprooted, with one tree falling on a structure and damaging i...
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2020
Multiple thunderstorms developed over central North Dakota as an upper level trough approached the area. Very strong instability was present, but thunderstorms were having trouble becoming surface based due to convection during the morning hours, which is addressed in a separate episode on this same date, keeping cloud cover over the area. One storm over Wells County became very slow moving, pr...
Flash Flood — Sep 20, 2019
Thunderstorms developed mid-day along and ahead of a slowly advancing cold front over northwestern North Dakota in an unseasonably moist and unstable atmosphere. The storms then spread south and east through the day. Some of the storms became severe with an initial threat of large hail, though some strong wind gusts were occurring by late day. The largest reported hail was the size of baseballs...
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 Wells 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 Wells 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.