Enter any address in Piatt County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Piatt County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 20 flash flood events and 4 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding observed across the county on June 22, 2020, and on May 19, 2017, following heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $23,744 and an average water depth of 9.6 feet. Properties in Zone X also have a history of claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in other identified flood zones, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Piatt County, Illinois has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 9 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1968–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Nov 30, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Apr 21, 2002 |
| Winter Storm 1/1/99 | Snowstorm | Jan 1, 1999 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 9, 1994 |
| Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 14, 1990 |
| Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding | Tornado | Jun 5, 1968 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 19, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 21, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 20, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 12, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2014 | 1.50M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2014 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 24, 2024
On the morning of May 24th a low pressure system was located over the eastern Dakotas, with Illinois positioned in the warm sector. Over the course of the day, several rounds of thunderstorms occurred. First, a squall line tracked across Iowa and reached Illinois by the morning. The most intense part of this squall line tracked north of central Illinois, but the system did produce one instance ...
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2020
Several clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms developed across central Illinois in advance of a cold front during the afternoon and evening of June 22nd. Some of the storms produced damaging wind gusts of around 60mph and locally heavy downpours. Flash flooding was observed across portions of Macon, Christian, Piatt, and Champaign counties.
Flash Flood — May 19, 2017
Low pressure tracking along a stationary frontal boundary brought several rounds of showers and thunderstorms to central Illinois from the evening of May 18th into the morning of May 19th. A few cells produced hail as large as quarters: however, the main impact was locally heavy rainfall. Rain amounts of 3 to 6 inches were common in a corridor from near Jacksonville northeastward through Spri...
Flood — May 4, 2017
Another round of heavy rainfall occurred across central and southeast Illinois on May 4th, as an area of low pressure tracked from the Texas panhandle to southwest Indiana. Rainfall with this particular system was heaviest across south-central Illinois, with many locations along and south of I-72 receiving 1.5 to 2.5 inches. 6-day rainfall totals from April 29-May 4 ranged from 4 to 7 inches....
Flash Flood — May 4, 2017
Another round of heavy rainfall occurred across central and southeast Illinois on May 4th, as an area of low pressure tracked from the Texas panhandle to southwest Indiana. Rainfall with this particular system was heaviest across south-central Illinois, with many locations along and south of I-72 receiving 1.5 to 2.5 inches. 6-day rainfall totals from April 29-May 4 ranged from 4 to 7 inches....
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 Piatt 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 Piatt 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.