Enter any address in Champaign County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Champaign County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 64 recorded flash flood events compared to 7 general flood events. Recent examples include heavy rainfall in May 2024 and July 2023, which caused localized flooding and impassable roads.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A, which typically represents areas of moderate to major flood hazard, have experienced the highest number of claims. However, properties in less commonly designated zones, such as Zone X and Zone UNKNOWN, have also seen claims with significant average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in all designated flood zones, as well as those in areas without a specific flood zone designation, should be aware of their potential flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
32 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Champaign County, Illinois has recorded 71 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 64 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1968–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Tornado | Nov 17, 2013 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Apr 21, 2002 |
| Winter Storm 1/1/99 | Snowstorm | Jan 1, 1999 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 1996 |
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Apr 18, 1996 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 9, 1994 |
| Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 14, 1990 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 21, 2018 | 1.00M |
Flash Flood — Jul 26, 2025
An outflow boundary interacting with a warm and very humid environment triggered clusters of slow-moving thunderstorms across east-central Illinois during the evening of July 26th. Thanks to precipitable water values around 2.25 as per the 00z KILX upper air sounding, hourly rainfall rates of 2-3 inches occurred with the stronger storms. The hardest hit location was across portions of Champai...
Flash Flood — Jun 16, 2025
A slow-moving, isolated thunderstorm produced locally heavy rainfall of 3 to 5 inches in Champaign County, which resulted in several roads becoming impassable in the city of Champaign.
Flash Flood — Aug 30, 2024
A cold front interacting with a seasonably warm and moist environment triggered clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms across central Illinois during the afternoon and evening of August 30th. One cell dropped nickel-sized hail, while others produced wind gusts of around 60mph and minor wind damage. In addition, urban flash flooding occurred across portions of Springfield and Champaign. N...
Flash Flood — May 24, 2024
On the morning of May 24th a low pressure system was located over the eastern Dakotas, with Illinois positioned in the warm sector. Over the course of the day, several rounds of thunderstorms occurred. First, a squall line tracked across Iowa and reached Illinois by the morning. The most intense part of this squall line tracked north of central Illinois, but the system did produce one instance ...
Flood — May 24, 2024
On the morning of May 24th a low pressure system was located over the eastern Dakotas, with Illinois positioned in the warm sector. Over the course of the day, several rounds of thunderstorms occurred. First, a squall line tracked across Iowa and reached Illinois by the morning. The most intense part of this squall line tracked north of central Illinois, but the system did produce one instance ...
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 Champaign 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 Champaign 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.