Enter any address in Stark County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates Stark County's flood events. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 18 flash flood events compared to 5 general flood events. For example, on June 6, 2022, slow-moving thunderstorms produced localized flash flooding due to 1 to 3 inches of rain in a short period. Earlier, on June 14, 2015, excessive rainfall rates of 4 to 6 inches in 2 to 3 hours led to flash flooding in surrounding counties, indicating the potential for intense rainfall events.
Homeowners in areas prone to rapid water level rises, particularly those near drainage paths or in low-lying areas, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties without a designated Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or those located in zones with higher flood probabilities, as indicated by FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim data, warrant particular attention.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Stark County, Illinois has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 8 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1999–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Nov 30, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Illinois Winter Snow Storms | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Winter Storm 1/1/99 | Snowstorm | Jan 1, 1999 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 30, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 27, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2013 | 9.00M |
| Flood | Apr 18, 2013 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 6, 2022
A slow-moving cold front interacted with a warm and moist environment to trigger clusters of thunderstorms across north-central Illinois during the late afternoon and evening of June 6th. Some of the storms produced rainfall of 1 to 3 inches in a short period of time, leading to localized flash flooding. The flooding was primarily focused along and north of an Abingdon to Lacon line.
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2017
An approaching cold front triggered scattered severe thunderstorms across portions of central and southeast Illinois from the evening of June 17th into the early morning of June 18th. The hardest hit locations were north of the I-74 corridor from Toulon in Stark County southeastward to Rantoul in Champaign County, where wind gusts of around 60mph downed numerous trees and power lines. A coupl...
Flash Flood — Jun 14, 2015
An upper-level disturbance interacting with a stationary frontal boundary brought a round of showers and thunderstorms to portions of central Illinois during the late afternoon and evening of June 14th. Due to copious amounts of moisture in the environment, some of the storms produced excessive rainfall rates that led to localized flash flooding. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches occurred in ...
Flood — Jun 30, 2014
A large complex of severe thunderstorms developed along a stationary frontal boundary across eastern Iowa during the afternoon of June 30th, then tracked eastward along the boundary across north-central Illinois during the evening. These storms produced damaging wind gusts of around 60 mph and locally heavy rainfall along and north of a Canton to Minonk line. Additional strong thunderstorms de...
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2014
A large complex of severe thunderstorms developed along a stationary frontal boundary across eastern Iowa during the afternoon of June 30th, then tracked eastward along the boundary across north-central Illinois during the evening. These storms produced damaging wind gusts of around 60 mph and locally heavy rainfall along and north of a Canton to Minonk line. Additional strong thunderstorms de...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Stark 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 Stark 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.