Enter any address in Rock Island County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Rock Island County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 81 flood events and 38 flash flood events. For example, on July 11, 2025, heavy rainfall of 2 to 4 inches in a few hours caused flash flooding in Moline, leading to a Flash Flood Emergency. Similarly, on July 10, 2025, heavy rain produced flash flooding in Moline and other areas.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $10,553 and an average water depth of 5.0 feet. While Zone X claims are fewer, they show a higher average water depth of 8.2 feet and an average payout of $9,859. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X with higher reported water depths, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
52 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Rock Island County, Illinois has recorded 119 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 38 flash floods and 81 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations, 9 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
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, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 18, 2001 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Apr 13, 1993 |
| 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 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 3, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 27, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 31, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 11, 2025
On July 11th, a line of severe thunderstorms moved across eastern Iowa and into northwest Illinois. These storms produced damaging straight-line winds and very heavy rain. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches fell in a few hours across the Quad Cities, on top of heavy rain from the previous night and caused flash flooding in Moline and Bureau County. A Considerable Flash Flood warning was issued a...
Flash Flood — Jul 10, 2025
During the evening hours of July 10th, a line of thunderstorms developed in eastern Iowa and moved into northwest Illinois. These storms produced isolated large hail and damaging wind gusts in Carroll, Jo Daviess, Henry, Bureau, and Rock Island Counties. These storms also produced heavy rain, mainly along and north of interstate 80. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4.50 inches were reported that prod...
Flood — Jul 3, 2024
Rain that fell during the month of June across Minnesota and Wisconsin caused rises on the Mississippi River, along the Iowa and Illinois border. Additionally, heavy rain that fell locally in July helped to prolong the crest and delay the river falling below flood stage, especially south of the Wapsipinicon, Rock, and Iowa Rivers.
Flood — Jul 2, 2024
Rain that fell during the month of June across Minnesota and Wisconsin caused rises on the Mississippi River, along the Iowa and Illinois border. Additionally, heavy rain that fell locally in July helped to prolong the crest and delay the river falling below flood stage, especially south of the Wapsipinicon, Rock, and Iowa Rivers.
Flood — Apr 25, 2023
Significant flooding occurred on the mainstem Mississippi largely due to the record snowfall this winter in Minnesota and Wisconsin, frozen ground, rapid snowmelt during the middle of April, and saturated soils. Major flooding was observed at all sites along the Mississippi north of Keokuk Iowa and most sites saw one of their top 10 crests on record.|This flooding had numerous impacts, with ma...
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 Rock Island 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 Rock Island 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.