Enter any address in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is a significant flood hazard in Manitowoc County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 13 flood events and 7 flash flood events. For example, in July 2025, showers and thunderstorms produced 2 to 4 inches of rain, with some areas exceeding 5 inches, leading to streets being covered in flowing water. In July 2021, thunderstorms also brought heavy rain, contributing to flash flooding across the region.
While flash flooding is common, other flood types have also occurred, including 4 lakeshore flood events. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $8,826 and an average water depth of 6.1 feet. However, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen higher average payouts ($54,937) despite lower average water depths (3.0 feet). Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, and those in Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 8 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 5, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 22, 1990 |
| Severe Storms, Icing, Wind & Flooding | Flood | Mar 23, 1976 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Apr 27, 1973 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2021 | 28.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Nov 27, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Oct 21, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2019 | 170.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Dec 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Apr 13, 2018 | 50.00K |
| Flood | May 3, 2018 | 200.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2017 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 3, 2012 | 50.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms tracked through central and east-central Wisconsin during the afternoon and evening on Wednesday (7/16) as a mesoscale convective vortex tracked along a cold front through southern Wisconsin. This system brought a brief period of heavy rainfall with rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches and locally higher amounts exceeding 5 inches across the area. The heavy rain in a sh...
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2021
Several rounds of thunderstorms developed across northeast Wisconsin during the afternoon and evening hours. The strongest storms produced hail up to ping pong size, damaging wind gusts, along with heavy rain and flash flooding. Portions of east-central Wisconsin received 2 to 5 inches of rain through the overnight hours. Lightning struck a hour in Kiel, causing a fire, as well as a pole in G...
Lakeshore Flood — Nov 27, 2019
A strengthening low pressure system developed over the central Plains and moved northeast to Lake Michigan, bringing 10 to 14 inches of heavy snow, and occasionally sleet, to northern and portions of central Wisconsin. The wet, heavy snow accumulating on trees and power lines, along with strong winds, caused widespread power outages across much of northern Wisconsin with over 40,000 residences ...
Lakeshore Flood — Oct 21, 2019
The combination of southeast Gales and high lake levels caused lakeshore flooding across eastward facing beaches on the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan during the afternoon hours.
Flood — Mar 15, 2019
Several locations across northeast Wisconsin had snow depths around a foot or more above normal for late February and early March. Temperatures across central and northern Wisconsin warmed above freezing during the daytime hours starting around March 8th. Rain accompanied the warmer temperatures, and the runoff from the combination of rain and rapidly melting snow caused flooding of streams, ri...
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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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.