Enter any address in Sawyer County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Sawyer County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 14 reported flash flood events and 7 flood events. For example, recent events include flash flooding on June 24, 2024, following severe thunderstorms, and minor flooding in Stone Lake on August 9, 2023, due to heavy rainfall. Rapid snowmelt combined with heavy rain also contributed to flooding on April 12, 2023, following a winter with record snowfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that while Zone A areas have seen fewer claims, they have experienced higher water depths. Zone X areas, including X_UNSHADED, have had fewer claims but some have resulted in significant payouts, suggesting that flood risk is not confined to officially designated high-risk zones. Homeowners in areas prone to rapid runoff, near waterways, or in zones with lower base flood elevations should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
17 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Sawyer County, Wisconsin has recorded 21 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 9 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 11, 2016 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Sep 2, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 26, 2000 |
| Flood-07/20/99 | Flood | Jul 4, 1999 |
| Winds, Hail & Rain | Severe Storm | Aug 5, 1977 |
| Drought | Drought | Jun 17, 1976 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2023 | 300.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2020 | 3.25K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 11, 2017 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jun 11, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2017 | 1.00K |
Flood — Aug 9, 2025
Another complex of thunderstorms developed the night of the 8th into the 9th across the Northern Plains and pushed eastward across the Northland during the morning hours. A bowing segment developed across northwest Wisconsin around sunrise and led to some areas of tree damage where it tracked. Heavy rainfall also produced some minor flooding in the community of Stone Lake.
Flash Flood — Jun 24, 2024
Thunderstorms developed in the vicinity of a warm front across northwest Wisconsin during the evening hours of the 24th. Storms quickly became severe in a very unstable and highly sheared environment as the grew upscale into a large complex during the late evening and early overnight hours. Damaging wind gusts comprised the majority of reports with numerous trees downed and buildings damaged al...
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 12, 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 — May 27, 2020
A cold front moved through northwest Wisconsin the night of the 26-27 and dropped a widespread area of 2-3 inches of rain over parts of Sawyer County. While most areas did not see any issues, a privately owned dam on the Mosquito Brook Flowage failed and led to minor flash flooding downstream.
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 Sawyer 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 Sawyer 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.