Wahpeton, ND Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
Wahpeton faces spring flooding from the Red River of the North at the North Dakota-Minnesota border. The city relies on temporary flood barriers to supplement permanent flood protection during annual high-water events.
Richland County has recorded 223 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $2.3M 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
61
Richland County
Avg. Premium
$726/yr
Richland County
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Richland County
Properties in Richland County have filed 223 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.3M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $10K.
Highest-Claim Years
1997
124 claims - $1.5M
2009
46 claims - $494K
2011
15 claims - $122K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Richland County
Only roughly 1 in 107 households in Richland County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.9% of estimated households). With 64 recorded flood events and $2.7M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.9%
roughly 1 in 107 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
223 claims over 45+ years across 61 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$10,309
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Richland County has averaged 3.7 claims 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 August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Wahpeton.
Not sure whether you're required to carry it? See do I need flood insurance?, or compare NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Richland County
Richland County has 6 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 August 2026.
Multiple Loss
6
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 August 2026.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Richland County
Richland County has been included in 23 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 15 earlier declarations since 1972.
These declarations affected communities across Richland County, including Wahpeton.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Richland County
NOAA has recorded 64 flood events in Richland County since 1996, causing $2.7M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Richland County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 13 properties in Richland County, investing $961K 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 August 2026. FEMA records a total payment per grant rather than per property, so the dollar figure is an estimate that splits each grant across the properties it covers; the property count is exact.
Levee Protection: Wahpeton
The USACE National Levee Database lists 3 levee systems protecting parts of Wahpeton. A system's FEMA accreditation status determines how its protected area is mapped: accredited levees are typically mapped as Zone X, while non-accredited or provisionally accredited systems generally leave their protected area in the Special Flood Hazard Area (often Zone AR or A99) until certification is complete.
W side Red River (N of rt 210 (trailer prk))
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Red River of the North - Sponsor: Unknown Levee Owner - 0.01 sq mi protected
W side Red River (btwn 13th and 17th Ave)
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Red River of the North - Sponsor: Unknown Levee Owner - 0.01 sq mi protected
Red River of the North - Wahpeton
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Red River of the North - Sponsor: City of Wahpeton, ND - 1.72 sq mi protected
Source: USACE National Levee Database. Data sourced August 2026. Learn how levees affect flood zone mapping.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Richland 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
Very LowEst. annual loss: $3.8M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Wahpeton
Wahpeton 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 Wahpeton are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $3.8M.
Riverine flood risk in Wahpeton 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 Wahpeton address.
Wahpeton, ND Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Wahpeton, ND?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Wahpeton 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 Wahpeton?
If your Wahpeton 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 about a quarter of all NFIP flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones.
How do I check my flood zone in Wahpeton?
Enter your Wahpeton 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 Wahpeton?
Wahpeton is primarily affected by river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Wahpeton address.
Has Wahpeton experienced major flooding events?
Richland County, where Wahpeton is located, has been part of 23 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Flooding in 2023. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Wahpeton?
Richland County has recorded 223 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.3M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1997, with 124 claims and $1.5M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Wahpeton.
How many flood insurance policies are there in Wahpeton?
Richland County had 61 NFIP flood insurance policies written or renewed over the trailing 13 months, with an average annual premium of $726. The most policies are in Zone X (26 policies). These are county-level counts of policies written or renewed in the trailing 13 months, not a point-in-time count of policies in force - a policy renewed inside that window is counted twice.
How many Wahpeton properties have flooded repeatedly?
Richland County has 6 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.
Is Wahpeton protected by a levee?
Yes. The USACE National Levee Database lists 3 levee systems protecting parts of Wahpeton. None currently carry full FEMA accreditation, which typically keeps the protected area within the Special Flood Hazard Area (often Zone AR or A99) until the levee is certified. Levee protection is system-specific, not city-wide - check the address search above for the zone at a specific property.
Can my Wahpeton 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 Wahpeton?
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 Wahpeton'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
Understanding Flood Zones
See the Flood Map for Any Wahpeton, ND Address
Enter a Wahpeton, ND address to view its FEMA flood map, zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
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 August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.