Enter any address in Bayfield County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood hazard in Bayfield County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 33 flash flood events, with one recorded fatality. For example, on June 18, 2024, widespread flash flooding occurred due to a stationary front and a moist airmass, leading to life-threatening conditions. Another significant event on April 11, 2023, involved rapid snowmelt from record snowfall, exacerbated by warm temperatures and heavy rain, causing fast rises on area waterways.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent claims, with an average payout of $10,287 and an average water depth of 3.7 feet. Properties in Zone X also have a history of claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
34 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bayfield County, Wisconsin has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 33 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 11 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 15, 2018 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 11, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jun 20, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 19, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Flooding, Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Flood | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Flood-07/20/99 | Flood | Jul 4, 1999 |
| Drought | Drought | Jun 17, 1976 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2024 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 11, 2023 | 16.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Oct 21, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 17, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 19, 2024
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, a stationary surface front, in conjunction with an anomalously moist airmass over the Northland, resulting in widespread flash flooding. NWS Duluth issued seven Flash Flood Warnings (across much of NE MN and the Bayfield Peninsula), three of which were upgraded to include a considerable tag for life threatening flash flooding. Additionally, severe thunderstorms occurr...
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2024
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, a stationary surface front, in conjunction with an anomalously moist airmass over the Northland, resulting in widespread flash flooding. NWS Duluth issued seven Flash Flood Warnings (across much of NE MN and the Bayfield Peninsula), three of which were upgraded to include a considerable tag for life threatening flash flooding. Additionally, severe thunderstorms occurr...
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2023
Warm and humid conditions developed across northeastern Minnesota on the 27th ahead of a frontal boundary that stalled out across the region. Storms were primarily hail producers across northeastern Minnesota but transitioned to more of a wind threat as they grew upscale across northwestern Wisconsin. Numerous reports of trees and powerlines downed were received across the area with some flash ...
Flood — Apr 11, 2023
Record breaking snowfall for the 2022-2023 winter season was received across all of northwest Wisconsin which was about 200% of normal snowfall. Much of this snowpack remained on the ground into April. Warm temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal during the second week of the month led to rapid snowmelt across the region with fast rises on area waterways. This above normal warmth was quickly...
Flash Flood — Jul 8, 2020
A potent storm system brought multiple rounds of severe storms to the Northland starting during the early morning hours of the 8th. Very little in the way of severe weather was observed with this initial round of storms. A warm front then lifted across the region through the day, bringing a very moist and unstable airmass to the area. Storms begin firing during the afternoon hours ahead of a co...
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 Bayfield County, Wisconsin:
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 Bayfield County, Wisconsin 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.