Duluth, MN Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Duluth faces flooding from Lake Superior storm surge and flash flooding in steep stream valleys. The 2012 Duluth flood caused over $100 million in damage from extreme rainfall in the hillside terrain.
St. Louis County has recorded 183 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $1.8M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 5
NFIP Policies
426
St. Louis County
Avg. Premium
$1,117/yr
St. Louis County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: St. Louis County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $49.8M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $9K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: St. Louis County
St. Louis County has been included in 10 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 2 earlier declarations since 1970.
These declarations affected communities across St. Louis County, including Duluth.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: St. Louis County
Properties in St. Louis County have filed 183 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.8M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $10K.
Highest-Claim Years
2012
57 claims - $988K
1979
32 claims - $52K
1978
7 claims - $3K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: St. Louis County
Only roughly 1 in 186 households in St. Louis County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.5% of estimated households). With 104 recorded flood events and $3.5M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.5%
roughly 1 in 186 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 2
183 claims over 45+ years across 426 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$9,792
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, St. Louis County has averaged 1 claim for every 2 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Duluth.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Duluth
Duluth faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Duluth are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $49.8M. Properties in Duluth's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Duluth means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Duluth address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: St. Louis County
St. Louis County has 10 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
10
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
0
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: St. Louis County
NOAA has recorded 104 flood events in St. Louis County since 1996, causing $3.5M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: St. Louis County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 310 properties in St. Louis County, investing $1.8M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Duluth, MN Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Duluth, MN?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Duluth are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Duluth?
If your Duluth property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Duluth?
Enter your Duluth address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
What type of flooding affects Duluth?
Duluth is primarily affected by both coastal storm surge and inland flooding. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Duluth address.
Has Duluth experienced major flooding events?
St. Louis County, where Duluth is located, has been part of 10 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Duluth?
St. Louis County has recorded 183 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.8M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2012, with 57 claims and $988K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Duluth.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Duluth?
St. Louis County currently has 426 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,117. The most policies are in Zone A (197 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Duluth properties have flooded repeatedly?
St. Louis County has 10 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Duluth property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Duluth?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Duluth's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.