Enter any address in Cumberland County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates the flood character of Cumberland County. In the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 29 flash flood events compared to 9 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on August 2, 2022, and August 9, 2022, both linked to persistent frontal boundaries and heavy rainfall. A significant flood event also occurred on January 11, 2020, with 3 to 6 inches of rain reported across the county.
While the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has recorded fewer claims in Cumberland County, the data indicates that properties in Zone X have experienced higher average payouts and water depths than those in Zone A. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk, particularly those residing near waterways or in locations without a Base Flood Elevation.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
16 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cumberland County, Illinois has recorded 38 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 29 flash floods and 9 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 |
| 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 And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 1996 |
| 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 9, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 9, 2022
A cluster of thunderstorms developed in the evening near the I-70 corridor ahead of a slow moving cold front. These thunderstorms produced heavy rain and isolated flash flooding across southeast Illinois, with some locations observing rainfall rates that exceeded 2 inches per hour. An additional cluster of thunderstorms moved across the same areas early on the morning of August 9th, producing m...
Flash Flood — Aug 2, 2022
A persistent frontal boundary draped across central Illinois continued to be the focus for strong to severe thunderstorm development during the morning of August 2nd. A low-level jet interacting with the boundary triggered the first cluster of storms across portions of Sangamon and Logan counties during the pre-dawn hours, with additional cells forming from Galesburg to near Lawrenceville as t...
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...
Flash Flood — May 29, 2019
Several clusters of thunderstorms developed along a nearly stationary frontal boundary draped across central Illinois during the late afternoon and evening of May 29th. Four landspout type tornadoes touched down beneath developing cells across portions of Christian and Macon counties. Other storms produced isolated wind damage and hail as large as quarters. In addition, numerous cells traini...
Flash Flood — Jun 12, 2018
A series of weak impulses interacted with a stationary frontal boundary extending from northeast Missouri to southwest Indiana to produce several rounds of thunderstorms across south-central Illinois from the evening of June 11th into the morning of June 12th. The strongest cells produced damaging wind gusts of around 60mph and hail as large as golf balls during the evening of June 11th. In a...
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 Cumberland 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 Cumberland 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.