Flood Preparation, Response, and Recovery

Before the Flood

There are a number of things you can do to prepare your community or property for floods. Below are some very useful resources. Additionally, there are a number of guidance materials for floodproofing and retrofitting on our  Technical Resources page.

• DNR Flood Hazard Mitigation Program
• Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management administers a number of grants to mitigate flood losses
• Minnesota Department of Labor Disaster Preparedness Manual for Building Officials
• Flood Resilience Checklist – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a tool to help communities prepare for, deal with, and recover from floods. This checklist offers strategies communities can consider to manage stormwater.
• Understanding and Managing Flood Risk: A Guide for Elected Officials – Association of State Floodplain Managers
• What can (and should) I do about fluctuating water levels on my property?

During the Flood

Current flood forecasts and stream flow conditions from the National Weather Service:

• Northwest Minnesota
• Northeast Minnesota
• Central and South Central Minnesota
• Southwest Minnesota
• Southeast Minnesota

Current Minnesota stream flow conditions:

• Cooperative Stream Gaging Program (DNR/MPCA)
• USGS WaterWatch

Temporary Closures:

• Closure Information for State Parks, State Trails, State Forest Roads, and State Water Accesses

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Emergency Response and Recovery

Post-Flood Information

• Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management – State & Federal Resources for Homeowners and Renters
• Substantial Damage Determinations
• FEMA Substantial Damage/Substantial Improvement Desk Reference
• Repairing Your Flooded Home – FEMA booklet, published 2010
• Repair or Rebuild after a Flood – Flowchart prepared by MNDNR
• FAQs on Post-Flood Building Requirements
• North Dakota State University - Flood Information for Property Owners – contains many useful tips for post-flood cleanup
• DNR General Permit 2001-1172: Repair of Flood Damages in Public Waters

Additional Resources

• Roles of the DNR Before, During, and After Floods
• Minnesota Department of Health Flood Information

Floods of Minnesota’s Past

• Flooding Rains in Northeast Minnesota: June 19-20, 2012
• Flooding Rains in Southeast Minnesota: June 14, 2012
• September 2010 rainfall analysis and associated flood information
• 2009 floods - MN Climatology Working Group
  • Slideshow
• 2008 floods - MN Climatology Working Group
• Summary of August 18-20, 2007 Flooding Rainfall Event - DNR Climatology Office
  • Slideshow
  • Photos of the damage to Whitewater State Park and the Root River State Trail
• 2002 floods
• 2001 floods
• 1997 floods
• Minnesota Flash Floods Since 1970