Enter any address in Perry County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Perry County, Illinois. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database has recorded 40 flash flood events and 20 flood events. For example, in July 2024, extreme rainfall led to dam failure and widespread street flooding in areas including Mount Vernon and roads north of Tamaroa, with some experiencing flooding for the second time in a week.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that while Zone A areas have seen fewer claims, the average payout and water depth are lower. In contrast, Zone X areas, which are typically considered to have a lower flood risk, have also experienced claims with higher average payouts and significantly deeper water depths. Homeowners in Zone X, as well as those in Zone A and properties located near creeks and low-lying areas, should be particularly aware of potential flood risks.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
32 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Perry County, Illinois has recorded 60 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 40 flash floods and 20 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 (1982–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Apr 21, 2002 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 1996 |
| Severe Storms & Tornadoes | Tornado | Jun 5, 1982 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 28, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2021 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jul 16, 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 16, 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 12, 2024
Isolated thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours on the 12th in the Quad State. Wind damage occurred in the town of Sesser, including tree and powerline damage. Storms from the previous evening in Sesser might have made some trees more susceptible to damage. Meanwhile, torrential rainfall with nearly stationary storms near Tamaroa produced flash flooding. Isolated storms continued ov...
Flash Flood — May 4, 2024
A line of thunderstorms moved across Southern Illinois during the evening hours of May 4th. CAPE values were 2500-3000 J/kg but deep layer shear was very weak. Heavy rainfall occurred with the storms, with the highest rainfall totals occurring in Perry County, IL. Storms weakened as they moved eastward.
Flood — Mar 25, 2023
A nearly stationary front draped itself from central Texas northeast through the Ohio River Valley and produced multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms, some with very heavy rainfall. Scattered showers and thunderstorms resulted in several cases of flooding or flash flooding. One to three inches of rain fell across the region with isolated higher amounts before the front passed east on the...
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 Perry 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 Perry 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.