Enter any address in Coles County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Coles County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 41 flash flood events and 11 flood events, which resulted in 2 fatalities. Recent examples include localized flash flooding and road closures in Mattoon following heavy rainfall on June 27, 2021, and scattered flash flooding across central Illinois on August 29, 2022, due to excessive rainfall rates.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $7,229 and an average water depth of 1.7 feet. However, properties in Zone X have seen significantly higher average payouts, reaching $35,821 with an average water depth of 0.6 feet, suggesting that even areas outside of high-risk zones can experience substantial flood damage. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
17 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Coles County, Illinois has recorded 52 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 41 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 9 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Tornado | Dec 10, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Apr 21, 2002 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Jun 10, 1974 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 3, 2018 | 2.00M |
| Flood | Apr 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 29, 2022
Numerous clusters of strong thunderstorms developed along an outflow boundary and ahead of a slowly approaching cold front during the evening of August 29th. Some of the thunderstorm cells merged and produced damaging wind gusts in excess of 60mph, particularly across Vermilion County. Excessive rainfall rates led to scattered flash flooding across central Illinois as well.
Flash Flood — Jul 7, 2022
A complex of thunderstorms developed along a stalled frontal boundary over Missouri during the pre-dawn hours of July 7, 2022. These storms progressed into Illinois, producing isolated flooding in eastern Illinois during the early afternoon.
Flash Flood — Aug 3, 2022
A line of thunderstorms developed near I-55 along an outflow boundary during early afternoon and progressed east-southeast towards I-70 by early evening. The storms produced scattered wind damage, and a 61 mph gust was measured at the Decatur Airport. Heavy rain led to a few instances of flash flooding near the I-70 corridor during the evening.
Flood — Jun 27, 2021
A slow-moving cold front interacting with a warm and very humid airmass resulted in scattered thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of June 27th. One cluster of storms dropped heavy rainfall of 2 to 4 inches in Mattoon in Coles County, causing localized flash flooding and a few road closures.
Flood — Jan 11, 2020
Several waves of low pressure tracking along a nearly stationary frontal boundary brought periods of locally heavy rainfall to central Illinois on January 10th and 11th. The front gradually shifted eastward into the Ohio River Valley and brought an end to the rain by the evening of January 11th. Storm total rainfall was heaviest in a corridor including Shelby, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Cumber...
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 Coles 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 Coles 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.