Minnesota flood insurance and flood history
From FEMA's flood insurance and disaster data · Updated 2026-10-08
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data lists 12,474 flood insurance claims in Minnesota since 1978. The NFIP paid $157.3 million on them (building, contents and Increased Cost of Compliance payments, in the dollars of the year paid).
The year with the most claims was 1997, with 3,266, mostly from Flooding.
In the last ten years (2017–2026) there were 718 claims, and the average paid claim was $29,315.
38% of the claims with a recorded flood zone came from buildings outside FEMA's high-risk zones (rated zones B, C and X).
About 0.2% of homes in Minnesota had an NFIP flood policy in FEMA's latest count (5,166 of 2,272,492 residential buildings). In the high-risk flood zones (Special Flood Hazard Areas), it was 17% (2,778 of 16,708).
Since 2000, FEMA has made 27 flood-related disaster declarations covering parts of Minnesota. The most recent was DR-4797-MN (Severe Storms and Flooding), declared June 28, 2024.
Flood insurance claims in Minnesota by year
Show as a table
| Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | $119,026 |
| 2025 | 18 | $60,226 |
| 2024 | 137 | $5.7 million |
| 2023 | 92 | $1.8 million |
| 2022 | 62 | $986,417 |
| 2021 | 6 | $32,574 |
| 2020 | 50 | $493,749 |
| 2019 | 273 | $4.9 million |
| 2018 | 63 | $590,985 |
| 2017 | 13 | $50,926 |
| 2016 | 122 | $2.7 million |
| 2015 | 23 | $29,700 |
| 2014 | 291 | $2.9 million |
| 2013 | 94 | $549,246 |
| 2012 | 166 | $3.4 million |
| 2011 | 444 | $2.9 million |
| 2010 | 473 | $9.9 million |
| 2009 | 467 | $7.4 million |
| 2008 | 71 | $863,082 |
| 2007 | 139 | $4.9 million |
| 2006 | 68 | $906,962 |
| 2005 | 35 | $144,680 |
| 2004 | 136 | $6.0 million |
| 2003 | 41 | $463,189 |
| 2002 | 353 | $4.1 million |
| 2001 | 832 | $8.0 million |
| 2000 | 223 | $2.3 million |
| 1999 | 151 | $1.6 million |
| 1998 | 130 | $1.7 million |
| 1997 | 3,266 | $60.6 million |
| 1996 | 347 | $1.5 million |
| 1995 | 18 | $26,133 |
| 1994 | 23 | $60,170 |
| 1993 | 394 | $1.9 million |
| 1992 | 23 | $62,937 |
| 1991 | 36 | $113,087 |
| 1990 | 46 | $137,146 |
| 1989 | 161 | $527,567 |
| 1988 | 6 | $0 |
| 1987 | 138 | $1.3 million |
| 1986 | 338 | $1.2 million |
| 1985 | 76 | $576,713 |
| 1984 | 141 | $1.3 million |
| 1983 | 202 | $1.1 million |
| 1982 | 52 | $88,076 |
| 1981 | 78 | $317,957 |
| 1980 | 81 | $173,774 |
| 1979 | 1,019 | $4.1 million |
| 1978 | 1,052 | $6.7 million |
Biggest flood events by NFIP payments
The flood events FEMA's claims data names most often for Minnesota, ranked by what the NFIP paid. FEMA names events in its claims records; claims without an event name aren't included here.
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 1997 | 3,175 | $60.0 million |
| Severe flooding | 2001 | 714 | $7.4 million |
| June Midwest Flooding | 2024 | 117 | $5.3 million |
| Flooding | 1978 | 559 | $4.5 million |
| Not a named storm | 1979 | 869 | $3.7 million |
| Torrential rain | 2002 | 269 | $3.3 million |
| Winter storm | 2009 | 145 | $2.5 million |
| Midwest Flooding | 1993 | 249 | $1.2 million |
| Flooding | 1987 | 122 | $1.2 million |
What flood insurance costs in Minnesota
On June 30, 2026, 6,289 NFIP flood insurance policies were in force in Minnesota. For the 4,642 single-family homes among them, the typical (median) yearly cost was about $1,140; the average was $1,290.
| Rated flood zone | Policies | Typical yearly cost, single-family home | Average cost | Average building coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-risk zones (A and V) | 3,438 | $1,310 | $1,550 | $197,000 |
| Moderate- and low-risk zones (B, C and X) | 2,845 | $990 | $990 | $219,000 |
Cost here is what FEMA's data lists as the policy cost: the premium plus the reserve fund assessment, federal policy fee and HFIAA surcharge. It covers single-family homes only (not condos, apartments or businesses), with costs rounded to the nearest $10 and shown only where at least 20 homes back the figure. Your own price depends on your building and the coverage you choose; see how flood insurance is priced. Private flood insurance isn't included.
Policies and average cost by exact flood zone
Flood history by county
Every Minnesota county in FEMA's data, sorted by number of NFIP claims since 1978. "Insured" is the share of homes with an NFIP policy; "typical NFIP cost" is the median yearly cost for single-family homes.
| County | Claims | Paid | Insured | Typical NFIP cost | Flood declarations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | 1,455 | $36.3 million | 0.5% | $1,210 | 12 |
| Marshall County | 1,405 | $6.8 million | 0.5% | $1,210 | 12 |
| Clay County | 1,358 | $13.8 million | 0.7% | $1,360 | 11 |
| Mower County | 733 | $11.2 million | 0.4% | $1,260 | 7 |
| Olmsted County | 719 | $5.3 million | 0.3% | $1,210 | 6 |
| Hennepin County | 682 | $4.6 million | 0.2% | $860 | 5 |
| Washington County | 533 | $5.4 million | 0.3% | $940 | 4 |
| Wilkin County | 495 | $7.4 million | 0.9% | $840 | 11 |
| Roseau County | 279 | $3.4 million | 0.4% | $940 | 10 |
| Kittson County | 247 | $1.8 million | 0.7% | n/a | 12 |
| Norman County | 247 | $2.5 million | 1.4% | $690 | 12 |
| Wright County | 223 | $2.0 million | 0.2% | $1,140 | 5 |
| Goodhue County | 209 | $2.7 million | 0.4% | $1,210 | 8 |
| St. Louis County | 183 | $1.8 million | 0.3% | $1,140 | 7 |
| Dakota County | 181 | $3.9 million | 0.1% | $710 | 4 |
| Chippewa County | 172 | $2.5 million | 0.1% | n/a | 11 |
| Wabasha County | 162 | $3.4 million | 0.5% | $1,210 | 6 |
| Traverse County | 146 | $1.1 million | 1.0% | $940 | 11 |
| Yellow Medicine County | 146 | $1.9 million | 0.2% | n/a | 12 |
| Ramsey County | 145 | $1.3 million | 0.1% | $790 | 7 |
| Scott County | 117 | $1.1 million | 0.2% | $1,190 | 6 |
| Winona County | 115 | $3.9 million | 0.5% | $1,360 | 5 |
| Stearns County | 112 | $1.1 million | 0.2% | $1,640 | 4 |
| Otter Tail County | 109 | $1.4 million | 0.0% | n/a | 4 |
| Fillmore County | 99 | $753,114 | 0.5% | $1,340 | 7 |
| Anoka County | 96 | $451,139 | 0.2% | $1,190 | 1 |
| Aitkin County | 95 | $754,787 | 0.5% | $1,340 | 6 |
| Becker County | 92 | $1.1 million | 0.0% | n/a | 6 |
| Big Stone County | 92 | $834,294 | 1.0% | $1,140 | 9 |
| Blue Earth County | 92 | $1.3 million | 0.2% | $1,040 | 10 |
| Steele County | 90 | $2.0 million | 0.4% | $1,390 | 8 |
| Le Sueur County | 87 | $2.7 million | 0.7% | $1,260 | 8 |
| Nobles County | 83 | $209,428 | 0.2% | n/a | 9 |
| Houston County | 78 | $1.1 million | 0.3% | $1,210 | 10 |
| Rice County | 78 | $3.6 million | 0.3% | $1,410 | 6 |
| Carver County | 70 | $214,860 | 0.2% | $710 | 7 |
| Lyon County | 63 | $163,451 | 0.3% | $1,360 | 8 |
| Pine County | 60 | $1.4 million | 0.5% | $1,360 | 6 |
| Nicollet County | 59 | $552,979 | 0.2% | $1,340 | 10 |
| Sherburne County | 59 | $478,317 | 0.3% | $1,240 | 0 |
| Morrison County | 50 | $613,364 | 0.2% | $1,090 | 4 |
| Benton County | 46 | $179,971 | 0.5% | $1,540 | 2 |
| Freeborn County | 45 | $901,735 | 0.1% | n/a | 11 |
| Lac qui Parle County | 45 | $224,358 | 0.1% | n/a | 10 |
| Cottonwood County | 43 | $469,632 | 0.8% | $1,710 | 6 |
| Chisago County | 37 | $421,727 | 0.1% | $1,040 | 2 |
| Brown County | 35 | $493,376 | 0.2% | n/a | 10 |
| Dodge County | 32 | $476,485 | 0.3% | $1,360 | 7 |
| Rock County | 29 | $162,111 | 0.3% | n/a | 6 |
| Hubbard County | 28 | $291,698 | 0.0% | n/a | 2 |
| Isanti County | 26 | $226,363 | 0.3% | $1,090 | 2 |
| Pennington County | 25 | $57,776 | 0.1% | n/a | 5 |
| Mille Lacs County | 24 | $118,930 | 0.4% | $1,310 | 3 |
| Kanabec County | 21 | $172,998 | 0.1% | n/a | 4 |
| Jackson County | 20 | $366,147 | 0.3% | n/a | 6 |
| Carlton County | 19 | $627,171 | 0.2% | $1,090 | 4 |
| McLeod County | 19 | $102,507 | 0.2% | $1,210 | 9 |
| Koochiching County | 17 | $322,358 | 0.3% | $1,110 | 5 |
| Pipestone County | 17 | $357,394 | 0.1% | n/a | 6 |
| Douglas County | 16 | $281,302 | 0.0% | n/a | 5 |
| Watonwan County | 16 | $1.1 million | 0.0% | n/a | 5 |
| Clearwater County | 15 | $234,519 | 0.0% | n/a | 6 |
| Cook County | 15 | $64,492 | 0.2% | n/a | 5 |
| Murray County | 15 | $165,715 | 0.3% | $1,310 | 5 |
| Crow Wing County | 13 | $71,715 | 0.2% | $1,210 | 3 |
| Todd County | 13 | $126,636 | 0.3% | $1,040 | 4 |
| Cass County | 12 | $65,401 | 0.0% | n/a | 5 |
| Faribault County | 12 | $70,446 | 0.1% | n/a | 10 |
| Itasca County | 12 | $121,907 | 0.1% | n/a | 5 |
| Sibley County | 12 | $66,215 | 0.0% | n/a | 12 |
| Swift County | 12 | $143,998 | 0.1% | n/a | 9 |
| Mahnomen County | 10 | $149,607 | 0.1% | n/a | 6 |
| Lake County | 9 | $938,269 | 0.1% | n/a | 6 |
| Waseca County | 9 | $111,206 | 0.1% | n/a | 5 |
| Kandiyohi County | 8 | $132,326 | 0.1% | n/a | 5 |
| Pope County | 7 | $38,098 | 0.1% | n/a | 6 |
| Wadena County | 7 | $32,464 | 0.2% | n/a | 5 |
| Meeker County | 6 | $141,584 | 0.3% | $1,210 | 3 |
| Renville County | 6 | $69,690 | 0.0% | n/a | 12 |
| Lake of the Woods County | 5 | $128,619 | 0.6% | n/a | 6 |
| Beltrami County | 3 | $11,207 | 0.0% | n/a | 7 |
| Grant County | 3 | $62,420 | 0.0% | n/a | 9 |
| Lincoln County | 3 | $7,496 | 0.0% | n/a | 4 |
| Redwood County | 3 | $143,452 | 0.1% | n/a | 11 |
| Red Lake County | 2 | $8,241 | 0.0% | n/a | 8 |
| Stevens County | 2 | $7,926 | 0.1% | n/a | 9 |
| Martin County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 6 |
Flood-related FEMA disaster declarations in Minnesota
Declarations since 2000 that FEMA lists as involving flooding. "Help for individuals" means FEMA's Individual Assistance was approved for at least part of the area.
| Declaration | Declared | Event | Help for individuals |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4797-MN | Jun 28, 2024 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4722-MN | Jul 19, 2023 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-4666-MN | Aug 9, 2022 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4659-MN | Jul 13, 2022 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4658-MN | Jul 8, 2022 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4442-MN | Jun 12, 2019 | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4414-MN | Feb 1, 2019 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-4390-MN | Sep 5, 2018 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4290-MN | Nov 2, 2016 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4182-MN | Jul 21, 2014 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides | No |
| DR-4131-MN | Jul 25, 2013 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4069-MN | Jul 6, 2012 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-4009-MN | Jul 28, 2011 | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes | No |
| DR-1982-MN | May 10, 2011 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-1941-MN | Oct 13, 2010 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-1921-MN | Jul 2, 2010 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-1900-MN | Apr 19, 2010 | Flooding | No |
| EM-3310-MN | Mar 19, 2010 | Flooding | No |
| DR-1830-MN | Apr 9, 2009 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| EM-3304-MN | Mar 26, 2009 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-1772-MN | Jun 25, 2008 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-1717-MN | Aug 23, 2007 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1648-MN | Jun 5, 2006 | Flooding | No |
| DR-1569-MN | Oct 7, 2004 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1419-MN | Jun 14, 2002 | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes | Yes |
Showing the 25 most recent of 27.
What to do with this
A county's history doesn't tell you your own building's risk. To see your property's flood zone, use FEMA's flood map lookup. To weigh coverage, start with do I need flood insurance? and what flood insurance costs.
Where these numbers come from
All figures on this page are calculated from FEMA's public OpenFEMA datasets:
- NFIP Redacted Claims (v3) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP claims since 1978, downloaded 2026-10-08. Dollar amounts are what the NFIP paid, not adjusted for inflation. Claims filed under private flood insurance aren't included.
- NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (v1) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP residential policy contracts in force (as of August 3, 2026) divided by FEMA's count of residential buildings from the National Structure Inventory. FEMA notes that inventory is incomplete in some counties, which can inflate the rate. Private flood policies aren't counted.
- NFIP Redacted Policies (v3) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP policies in force on June 30, 2026 (a policy counts if its term covers that date and it wasn't cancelled), downloaded 2026-10-08. Policy counts are FEMA's insured units, so a condominium association policy counts each unit. Costs are FEMA's "policy cost" (premium plus reserve fund assessment, federal policy fee and HFIAA surcharge) for single-family homes only. Policies FEMA's data doesn't place in a county count toward the state only.
- Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): disaster declarations, downloaded 2026-10-08. We count a declaration as flood-related when FEMA lists flooding (or a dam or levee break) as its incident type or a designated incident type, or the declaration's title mentions flooding.
FEMA's redacted claims data doesn't identify properties, and FEMA notes that some records lack a county or flood zone. See how we use the data.