Enter any address in Saline County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Saline County, IL. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 43 flash flood events and 20 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on May 8, 2024, and July 18, 2025, both linked to severe weather systems and heavy rainfall.
NFIP claims data indicates that while Zone A areas have seen more claims, properties in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded have experienced higher average payouts and water depths. Specifically, Zone X_Unshaded claims averaged $35,232 with a 3.5 ft water depth, and Zone X claims averaged $22,199 with a 4.2 ft water depth. One flood event in the past 30 years resulted in one fatality.
Homeowners in Saline County, particularly those in or near identified flood zones, should be aware of their specific flood risk. Properties located in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded, may be susceptible to significant flood damage.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
24 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Saline County, Illinois has recorded 63 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 43 flash floods and 20 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 (1996–2020)
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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 8, 2009 |
| 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 | Tornado | Apr 21, 2002 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 8, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2024 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2024 | 75.00K |
| Flood | May 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 8, 2024 | 800.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 8, 2024 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2025
A surface boundary was positioned west to east across the Quad State during the early afternoon with convective activity increasing with daytime heating. Scattered convection primarily occurred south of the boundary mid to late afternoon. MLCAPE reached 2000J/kg but effective bulk shear was very limited. Precipitable water values over 2 allowed for torrential rainfall rates. Training storm occu...
Flood — May 8, 2025
A 500mb trough extended from Quebec southwest to the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers around midday and pushed slowly eastward through the afternoon. At the surface, a weak surface low tried to lift northeast through west Kentucky, as surface high pressure built slowly southeast across southern Illinois. The greatest instability was a bit elevated with MUCAPE values of 1000-2000J/k...
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2024
Training heavy rainfall developed in portions of Southern Illinois during the evening hours on the 28th, with flash flooding developing in Wayne and Saline Counties. Eldorado was hit hard for a second time with rainfall totals around 5 inches, prompting water rescues. Water intruded into buildings including the Ferrell Hospital, which had already been heavily impacted from a flood in May. PW va...
Flash Flood — May 26, 2024
The second major severe weather outbreak for the month occurred on the 26th for the Quad State region. On the synoptic scale, a shortwave trough centered in the middle of the country with a 60 kt mid-level jet moved across northern Arkansas. A weak surface low was moving into SE Missouri during the morning with a secondary low located further northwest. A warm frontal boundary was draped across...
Flood — May 8, 2024
A major outbreak of severe weather occurred on the 8th for the Quad State region. On the synoptic scale, a longwave trough was centered across the Rockies with deep-layer southwesterly flow from the Southern Plains to the Ohio Valley. A 110 kt upper jet extended from northern KS to IA while a 60 kt mid-level jet was positioned across northern MZ into IA. Surface low pressure near the MZ/KS bord...
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 Saline 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 Saline 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.