Enter any address in Jo Daviess County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Mississippi and flash flooding from localized heavy rain are the dominant flood types in Jo Daviess County. Recent events include Mississippi River flooding in July 2024, caused by upstream rainfall in Minnesota and Wisconsin, which prolonged high water levels along the Iowa and Illinois border. Flash flooding also occurred in June 2024 due to unorganized thunderstorms producing 1-3 inches of rain in a short period.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $9,705 and an average water depth of 6.5 feet. However, properties in less common zones like X and X_SHADED have seen significantly higher average payouts and water depths, suggesting substantial risk for those locations as well. Residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those near rivers or in lower-lying zones, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
20 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Jo Daviess County, Illinois has recorded 61 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 41 flash floods and 20 river or area floods. The county has received 16 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Jul 19, 2010 |
| Record Snow And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 18, 2001 |
| Severe Storms And Flash Flooding | Severe Storm | May 16, 1999 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Apr 13, 1993 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | May 15, 1990 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 5, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 22, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 12, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2024
Severe thunderstorms produced wind damage and heavy rainfall as the storms sagged southeastward across northwest Illinois on the evening of July 14th. The strongest thunderstorms occurred from the Quad Cities southeastward through Henry County and into southern Bureau and Putnam Counties.
Flood — Jul 5, 2024
Rain that fell during the month of June across Minnesota and Wisconsin caused rises on the Mississippi River, along the Iowa and Illinois border. Additionally, heavy rain that fell locally in July helped to prolong the crest and delay the river falling below flood stage, especially south of the Wapsipinicon, Rock, and Iowa Rivers.
Flood — Jul 4, 2024
Rain that fell during the month of June across Minnesota and Wisconsin caused rises on the Mississippi River, along the Iowa and Illinois border. Additionally, heavy rain that fell locally in July helped to prolong the crest and delay the river falling below flood stage, especially south of the Wapsipinicon, Rock, and Iowa Rivers.
Flash Flood — Jun 3, 2024
An unorganized line of strong to severe thunderstorms developed in eastern Iowa on the afternoon of June 3. This line of thunderstorms continued into northwest Illinois, with thunderstorms capable of severe winds and heavy rain. A quick 1-3 inches of rainfall fell for some, which resulted in localized flash flooding.
Flood — Apr 25, 2023
Significant flooding occurred on the mainstem Mississippi largely due to the record snowfall this winter in Minnesota and Wisconsin, frozen ground, rapid snowmelt during the middle of April, and saturated soils. Major flooding was observed at all sites along the Mississippi north of Keokuk Iowa and most sites saw one of their top 10 crests on record.|This flooding had numerous impacts, with ma...
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 Jo Daviess 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 Jo Daviess 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.