Enter any address in Christian County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Christian County, IL. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database has recorded 46 flash flood events. For example, heavy rainfall led to localized flash flooding on May 14, 2023, and significant flash flooding occurred on June 17, 2022, with numerous trees and power lines downed.
While flash flooding is frequent, other flood types have also impacted the county. Seven flood events have been recorded, resulting in four fatalities. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced an average water depth of 4.2 feet, with an average payout of $8,729. Properties in Zone X, though experiencing less water depth on average (0.7 feet), have seen significantly higher average payouts of $46,777.
Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X with substantial claims, should pay particular attention to flood risk. Residents in these areas, as well as those in Zone UNKNOWN and Zone X_UNSHADED, are encouraged to review their flood insurance policies and understand their specific flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
20 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Christian County, Illinois has recorded 53 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 46 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 8 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1999–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Nov 30, 2006 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2023 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 11, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
An outflow boundary interacting with a very moist airmass characterized by surface dewpoints in the middle to upper 70s triggered clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms across south-central Illinois during the afternoon and evening of July 20th. Scattered wind damage and flash flooding occurred...mainly south of a Shelbyville to Marshall line.
Flash Flood — May 14, 2023
A stationary frontal boundary extending from northern Missouri to western Kentucky triggered clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms across parts of central Illinois during the late afternoon and evening of May 14th. Most of the storms were concentrated along a Rushville...to Springfield...to Salem line. Scattered wind damage and hail as large as golf balls occurred across this area. In a...
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2023
A vigorous short-wave trough interacted with an approaching low pressure system and associated warm frontal boundary to trigger clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms across west-central Illinois during the late afternoon of August 6th. Due to enhanced low-level wind shear along and north of the warm front, many of the cells began rotating and spinning up occasional funnel clouds. One of ...
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2022
A cold front triggered bands of strong to severe thunderstorms across west-central Illinois during the evening of June 25th. Some of the cells produced wind gusts up to 60mph, resulting in scattered wind damage. In addition, excessive rainfall rates led to localized flash flooding with some of the stronger storms.
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2022
A strong nocturnal low-level jet interacting with a nearly stationary frontal boundary triggered a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) over northern Missouri during the pre-dawn hours of June 17th. The large thunderstorm cluster tracked east-southeastward along the boundary, producing significant wind damage and flash flooding. The storms were focused along and southeast of a Rushville...to Spr...
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 Christian 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 Christian 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.