Enter any address in Marshall County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Marshall County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 21 flash flood events and 12 flood events. For example, on July 15, 2021, rainfall estimates of 2 to 4 inches across southern Marshall County led to road closures, including Illinois Route 17. Similarly, on May 28, 2020, 3 to 4 inches of rain in about an hour caused significant flash flooding across western Marshall County.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $8,549 and an average water depth of 6.5 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a notable number of claims, with an average payout of $14,834 and an average water depth of 3.4 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood zone designations, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Marshall County, Illinois has recorded 33 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 21 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Nov 30, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Illinois Winter Snow Storms | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Winter Storm 1/1/99 | Snowstorm | Jan 1, 1999 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | May 15, 1990 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Feb 23, 1985 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2020 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2015 | 150.00K |
| Flood | Jun 30, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2014 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2021
A line of thunderstorms preceding a cold front dropped into north-central Illinois during the pre-dawn hours of July 15th. Several cells trained over the same locations, with Doppler radar rainfall estimates of 2 to 4 inches across southern Marshall County. The heavy rainfall prompted the closure of several roads, including Illinois Route 17 between Lacon and Sparland.
Flash Flood — May 28, 2020
A slow-moving cold front crossing the Mississippi River triggered scattered thunderstorms during the late afternoon and evening of May 28th. The storms produced 3 landspout tornadoes...one in Peoria County and two in Moultrie County. In addition, other thunderstorm cells dropped 3 to 4 inches of rain in about an hour, causing significant flash flooding across western Marshall County.
Flash Flood — May 28, 2019
An upper-level disturbance tracking along a nearly stationary frontal boundary triggered a line of strong to severe thunderstorms across west-central Illinois during the late evening of May 28th. The storms tracked eastward and gradually weakened as they approached the I-55 corridor by the early morning of May 29th. Wind gusts of 60-70 mph downed numerous tree branches and power lines as the ...
Flash Flood — May 30, 2018
A stationary frontal boundary interacting with an unseasonably moist airmass triggered several clusters of thunderstorms across north-central Illinois during the morning of May 30th. Locally heavy rainfall of 3 to 5 inches occurred from eastern Peoria County across portions of Tazewell, Marshall, and Woodford counties. Due to excessive rainfall rates, flash flooding was reported in many areas...
Flood — Apr 29, 2017
Heavy rainfall impacted central and southeast Illinois from April 29th into April 30th...creating flash flooding, which led to widespread areal flooding. Periods of thunderstorms with very high rainfall rates dropped 2.00 to 6.50 inches of rain across much of central and southeast Illinois from April 29th into early on May 1st. This rainfall, occurring on top of already saturated soils, created...
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 Marshall 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 Marshall 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.