Bismarck, ND Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Bismarck faces flooding from the Missouri River, which experienced record flooding in 2011. The Garrison Dam upstream provides flood control, but extreme runoff from the Missouri River basin can still cause major flooding.
Burleigh County has recorded 698 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $15.3M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 8
NFIP Policies
745
Burleigh County
Avg. Premium
$1,203/yr
Burleigh County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Burleigh 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: $22.5M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Burleigh County
Burleigh County has been included in 12 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 4 earlier declarations since 1969.
These declarations affected communities across Burleigh County, including Bismarck.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Burleigh County
Properties in Burleigh County have filed 698 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $15.3M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $22K.
Highest-Claim Years
2011
556 claims - $13.9M
2009
62 claims - $1.2M
1978
21 claims - $27K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Burleigh County
Only roughly 1 in 52 households in Burleigh County carries NFIP flood insurance (2% of estimated households). With 32 recorded flood events and $31.9M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
2%
roughly 1 in 52 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
698 claims over 45+ years across 745 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$21,875
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Burleigh County has averaged 1 claim for every active policy (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 Bismarck.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Bismarck
Bismarck faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Bismarck are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $22.5M.
Riverine flood risk in Bismarck is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. 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.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Bismarck address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Burleigh County
Burleigh County has 31 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
31
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
0
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 29 of 31 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Burleigh County
NOAA has recorded 32 flood events in Burleigh County since 1996, causing $31.9M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Burleigh County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 8 properties in Burleigh County, investing $85K 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.
Flood Insurance Discount: Bismarck
Bismarck participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Bismarck's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Bismarck, ND Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Bismarck, ND?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Bismarck are Zone AE, 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 Bismarck?
If your Bismarck 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 Bismarck?
Enter your Bismarck 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.
Does Bismarck offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Bismarck participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Bismarck experienced major flooding events?
Burleigh County, where Bismarck is located, has been part of 12 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Flooding in 2011. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Bismarck?
Burleigh County has recorded 698 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $15.3M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2011, with 556 claims and $13.9M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Bismarck.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Bismarck?
Burleigh County currently has 745 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,203. The most policies are in Zone AE (515 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Bismarck properties have flooded repeatedly?
Burleigh County has 31 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 Bismarck 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 Bismarck?
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 Bismarck's Zone AE 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.
Other North Dakota Cities
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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.