Enter any address in Massac County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and heavy rainfall events are the primary flood concerns for Massac County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 107 flood events and 19 flash flood events. For example, in February 2025, heavy rainfall caused minor flooding in Metropolis and a creek overflow north of Golconda, while the Ohio River experienced minor flooding near Golconda. In July 2024, heavy rainfall led to extensive street flooding and rising creek levels in areas northwest of the county.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $24,988 and an average water depth of 2.1 feet. Zone X_SHADED also shows a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $14,587 and an average water depth of 2.3 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X_SHADED, as well as those located near rivers or creeks, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
42 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Massac County, Illinois has recorded 126 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 107 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2020)
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 Tornadoes | Tornado | Nov 17, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Record/near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 21, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 6, 2003 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Apr 21, 2002 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 1, 1997 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2023 | 250.00K |
| Flood | Jan 2, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 22, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 8, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 2, 2021 | 3.00K |
Flood — May 16, 2025
A 500mb shortwave trough moved across the Upper Midwest with height falls across the Quad State during the afternoon and evening of the 16th. The exit region of a strong (125kt) upper level jet was positioned across the area as well. Low-level winds strengthened during the afternoon to 50kts at 850mb. Following the early AM convection, ample sunshine allowed for a very unstable airmass to devel...
Flood — Feb 16, 2025
Heavy rain (3 to 7) over the lower Ohio and Tennessee Valleys on the 15th resulted in rising water levels on the Ohio River, with moderate flooding near Paducah and Olmsted, and minor flooding near Golconda, Smithland, and Cairo. Minor flooding continued into early March near Olmsted and Cairo.
Flood — Feb 15, 2025
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall (2-5) across much of southern Illinois through the afternoon and evening of the 15th. The heavy rainfall resulted in flash flooding north of Golconda where a creek overflowed its banks. Minor flooding of the usual trouble spots occurred in Metropolis.
Flood — Jul 17, 2024
Extreme rainfall totals occurred during the morning of the 16th in and around Nashville, Illinois, just northwest of the Quad State region, which resulted in a secondary dam failure. Neighboring portions of Jefferson and Perry Counties received 3-6 and 2-5 inches, respectively. Extensive street flooding occurred in Mount Vernon, while some roads north of Tamaroa flooded for the second time with...
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2023
Major flash flooding struck parts of far southern Illinois. The hardest hit counties were Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac in the southern tip of Illinois. Widespread flash flooding of roads made travel difficult or impossible for several hours during the peak of the heaviest rainfall in the morning. There was a bridge that was washed out in Massac County on a secondary road. Among the most impac...
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 Massac 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 Massac 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.