Enter any address in Clinton County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Clinton County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 20 flash flood events and 3 general flood events, which resulted in one fatality. For example, thunderstorms produced 4+ inches of rain in two hours on July 17, 2025, causing flash flooding in southwest Illinois. Another event on August 3, 2022, saw storms develop across eastern Missouri and west-central Illinois, leading to flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A experienced 20 claims with an average payout of $13,861 and an average water depth of 14.3 feet. Properties in Zone X had 4 claims, averaging $73,735 and 1.2 feet of water. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, which are typically at higher risk, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clinton County, Illinois has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 7 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Apr 21, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 13, 1982 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Apr 26, 1973 |
| Heavy Rains & Flooding | Flood | Aug 30, 1969 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2022 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 11, 2015 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2008 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 17, 2025
Numerous thunderstorms developed along and south of a cold front during the afternoon of July 17th. These thunderstorms congealed and dumped 4+ inches of rain on portions of southwest Illinois over 2 hours, resulting in flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 4, 2022
During the afternoon hours of August 3rd, numerous thunderstorms developed across parts of eastern Missouri and west-central Illinois, triggered by strong surface heating ahead of a surging outflow boundary. These storms developed within a strongly unstable environment, featuring MLCAPE values ranging from 2500 to as much as 4000 J/kg and largely driven by the very warm and humid boundary layer...
Flash Flood — Jul 22, 2019
Convection fired up along an old outflow and an intersecting cold front and tracked east southeast across the forecast area. Between 2 to 6 inches of rain fell, mainly along and south of Interstate 70. There were numerous reports of flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 22, 2019
An upper level shortwave trough moved through the region along a slowly advancing west to east frontal boundary. Several waves of thunderstorms developed along the boundary with rainfall amounts of two to four inches with isolated higher amounts. This caused flash flooding in several locations.
Flood — May 11, 2015
Clinton County Illinois had received about 5 inches of rain since May 9th. Numerous creeks and rivers were flooding, including Sugar Creek south southwest of Damiansville, IL.
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 Clinton 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 Clinton 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.