Enter any address in Randolph County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Randolph County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 19 flash flood events and 12 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on April 4, 2025, caused by a stationary front, and July 15, 2021, when training storms dropped up to 4 inches of rain in a short period.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $17,508 and an average water depth of 5.8 feet. Properties in Zone X also saw significant claims, averaging $12,704 with a 0.5-foot water depth. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Randolph County, Illinois has recorded 31 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 17 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 (1969–2020)
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 | Flood | Feb 24, 2019 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 8, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2008 |
| Tornadoes And Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Mar 11, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Apr 21, 2002 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 15, 1995 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 1, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 28, 2015 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 4, 2025
A stationary front over southern Missouri along with ample mid-level forcing, moisture, and efficient rain processes resulted in flash flooding across portions of southwest and south central Illinois.
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2021
Training storms moved through portions of southeast Missouri and southwestern Illinois with up to 4 inches of rain in a short amount of time. There were several reports of flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 13, 2020
An upper level disturbance provided large scale ascent and plenty of moisture, producing storms that were efficient rain producers. Up to four inches of rain fell onto already saturated soils causing isolated flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 12, 2020
A quasi-stationary frontal boundary combined with an upper level disturbance to generate slow moving thunderstorms. This produced areas of very heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 28, 2018
A mesoscale convective complex moved southeast across the area, mainly along and east of Mississippi River. There were numerous reports of damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding and even a tornado with some of these storms.
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 Randolph 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 Randolph 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.