Enter any address in Fayette County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character of Fayette County. Between 2004 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 21 flash flood events and 5 general flood events. For example, on July 20, 2025, central Fayette County received 8.7 inches of rain in under five hours, leading to impassable roadways and stranded vehicles. Earlier, on May 29, 2019, storms developed across the region, some producing severe weather and flash flooding.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties with an unknown flood zone designation have experienced claims with an average payout of $431 and an average water depth of -6.5 feet. A single claim in Zone A had an average payout of $3,461 with an average water depth of 3.0 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to rapid, heavy rainfall, particularly those near waterways or in locations without a certified Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Fayette County, Illinois has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 21 flash floods and 5 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 (2002–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Tornado | Nov 17, 2013 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 600.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 11, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 28, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 18, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 25, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
During the evening of July 20th, an MCS rode into south-central Illinois. Though the system as a whole kept pushing southeast during the evening, back-building and additional development along its northwestern edge caused it to rain constantly over Fayette County for hours. Between about 7:45 pm CDT and midnight, central Fayette County received 8.7 inches of rain of a total 13.5 inches. This re...
Flash Flood — May 29, 2019
Forecast area was in the warm sector ahead of a strong cold front. Storms developed across the region, some of which produced severe storms.
Flash Flood — Jun 19, 2018
Scattered pulse type storms developed across the forecast area. Some of the storms produced damaging winds and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 11, 2017
An area of thunderstorms moved through portions of southwestern Illinois dumping up to 3 inches of rain causing flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Dec 28, 2015
A prolonged period of rainfall occurred from the early morning hours of December 26th to the evening of December 28th. The heaviest rainfall occurred in a 50 to 75 mile wide swath from southwest Missouri through the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area and into central Illinois. Three day rainfall totals within this swath ranged from 6 to 12 inches, with lighter amounts extending both northwes...
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 Fayette 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 Fayette 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.