Enter any address in Edwards County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Edwards County, Illinois. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 16 instances of flash flooding and 14 instances of general flooding. Recent events include flash flooding on August 3, 2023, caused by slow-moving thunderstorms producing high rainfall rates, and on March 19, 2020, where widespread heavy rain led to isolated flash flooding.
Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those in low-lying areas or near drainage paths, should be aware of these risks. Homeowners without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) designation and those located in areas with a higher concentration of NFIP claims should pay particular attention to flood preparedness and potential impacts.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Edwards County, Illinois has recorded 30 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 7 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1989–2020)
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 |
| Record/near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 21, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Apr 21, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | May 15, 1990 |
| Severe Storms & Tornadoes | Tornado | Jan 7, 1989 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2019 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Feb 7, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 8, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 25, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 22, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 24, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 3, 2023
A large complex of thunderstorms stagnated over parts of southern Illinois, along and north of Interstate 64. Thunderstorms trained across those areas within an environment highly capable of producing high rainfall rates. Precipitable water values ranged between 2 and 2.5 inches, along with modest instability (500 to 1500 J/kg of elevated cape). The axis of thunderstorms occurred northeast of a...
Flash Flood — Mar 19, 2020
Short lines of thunderstorms with embedded circulations moved across southern Illinois during the afternoon of the 19th. Widespread heavy rain caused isolated flash flooding. The storms occurred just south of a warm front under a very strong southwest low level flow, around 60 knots at 850 mb. An upper level disturbance over the Ozark Mountains contributed to the storms.
Flood — Nov 30, 2019
Rounds of showers and thunderstorms brought heavy rain and minor flooding to the region. Some of the stronger thunderstorms produced hail, with hail up to the size of quarters reported in southwestern Jackson County, IL. The showers and storms on the last day of November occurred as a warm front lifted north, bringing warm moist air and providing a focus for the showers and storms. Storm total ...
Flash Flood — May 29, 2019
A large thunderstorm complex tracked east-northeast across southern Illinois during the morning. These storms produced heavy rainfall, sufficient for some flash flooding in parts of southeast Illinois. A deep southwest wind flow through the depth of the atmosphere brought abundant moisture for storms. Precipitable water values were over 1.5 inches. Moderately strong 850 mb winds around 30 knots...
Flood — Feb 7, 2019
A line of thunderstorms developed early in the morning from western Arkansas into south central Missouri ahead of a strong cold front. This line of storms intensified as it moved east-northeast across the mid Mississippi Valley later in the morning. Some severe weather continued through the midday hours as the line progressed up the lower Ohio Valley. This line of storms was the final round of ...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Edwards 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 Edwards 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.