Flood insurance in North Dakota

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for North Dakota, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
5,737
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$848
$422 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$259.5M
across 13,307 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
42%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in North Dakota, 2000–2025

The three costliest years. The worst was 2011, with $96.6 million paid on 1,918 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE0%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE42%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C58%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 36% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in North Dakota

EventYearClaimsPaid
Flooding19974,399$92.2 million
Late spring storms20111,248$79.5 million
Not a named storm19791,418$6.3 million
Winter storm2009248$3.2 million
Severe flooding2001196$1.3 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in North Dakota with detailed pages, by number of policies. 17 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Cass County2,369$7203,345$24.8 million
Ward County1,208$6951,107$69.5 million
Burleigh County633$1,300698$15.3 million
Grand Forks County386$8703,114$75.5 million
Pembina County151$865610$3.7 million
Walsh County53$767782$3.1 million
Ramsey County39$8201,103$37.6 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in North Dakota?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in North Dakota costs about $848 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in North Dakota?

There are about 5,737 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in North Dakota, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does North Dakota flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in North Dakota have filed 13,307 flood claims, with $259.5 million paid out. 226 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.