Enter any address in Bureau County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Bureau County, IL. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 26 recorded flash flood events compared to 5 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in Princeton and Moline on July 10th, and in Ladd on July 30th, both following heavy rainfall from thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that while Zone A, often associated with higher flood risk, accounts for the most claims (26), properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the deepest water (average 15.7 ft) and high average payouts ($4663). Properties in Zone X_SHADED also show high average payouts ($8050). Homeowners in all flood zones, particularly those in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bureau County, Illinois has recorded 31 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Feb 24, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 13, 2008 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Nov 30, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Illinois Winter Snow Storms | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Winter Storm 1/1/99 | Snowstorm | Jan 1, 1999 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 11, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2025
On the evening of July 30th, thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall of 2 to 3 inches across Bureau County. This heavy rain led to flash flooding in the town of Ladd.
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
A decaying mesoscale convective system moved into northwest Illinois, mainly along and south of Interstate 80, during the morning hours of July 20th. These showers and storms produced heavy rain with trained spotters reporting 2 to 4 inches of rain. This lead to flash flooding in part of Bureau County.
Flash Flood — Jul 10, 2025
During the evening hours of July 10th, a line of thunderstorms developed in eastern Iowa and moved into northwest Illinois. These storms produced isolated large hail and damaging wind gusts in Carroll, Jo Daviess, Henry, Bureau, and Rock Island Counties. These storms also produced heavy rain, mainly along and north of interstate 80. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4.50 inches were reported that prod...
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2024
Numerous slow-moving storms occurred on the afternoon of June 25, lasting into the evening. These storms quickly became strong to severe, with multiple becoming supercells, which ended up producing locally heavy rainfall, damaging winds, large hail, and four tornadoes that were generally weak, but still capable of damage. Winds were generally 60 mph or greater with the stronger storms, with a c...
Flash Flood — May 11, 2022
Scattered thunderstorms developed in northwest Illinois, impacting a few counties in the warning area in the afternoon and early evening hours. Severe thunderstorms produced large hail and flash flooding in Bureau and Putnam Counties. Even impacts due to a lightning strike were noted.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Bureau County, Illinois:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Bureau County, Illinois that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.