Enter any address in Wayne County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Wayne County, IL. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 68 flood events and 36 flash flood events, resulting in one reported death. For example, on July 19, 2025, torrential rainfall rates were reported along and near the I-64 corridor due to extremely high moisture content and atmospheric conditions conducive to severe storms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced an average of 1.6 feet of water depth with an average payout of $2,536. While Zone X has seen fewer claims, one claim reported an average payout of $8,521 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X with a history of claims, should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
41 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wayne County, Illinois has recorded 104 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 36 flash floods and 68 river or area floods. The county has received 8 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1989–2020)
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 Tornadoes | Tornado | Nov 17, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Apr 21, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | May 15, 1990 |
| Severe Storms & Tornadoes | Tornado | Jan 7, 1989 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Jul 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jul 19, 2025
As high pressure slowly crept northward towards the Quad State region, ridging remained over the middle Mississippi River Valley. A slow-moving MCS moved through the northeastern half of the Quad State midday to near sunset. CAPE rose to 1000-2000J/kg in northern portions of Southern Illinois with effective bulk shear around 30kts. Extremely high moisture content with precipitable water values ...
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2025
As high pressure slowly crept northward towards the Quad State region, ridging remained over the middle Mississippi River Valley. A slow-moving MCS moved through the northeastern half of the Quad State midday to near sunset. CAPE rose to 1000-2000J/kg in northern portions of Southern Illinois with effective bulk shear around 30kts. Extremely high moisture content with precipitable water values ...
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 — 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...
Flood — Jul 16, 2024
Extreme rainfall totals occurred during the morning of the 16th in and around Nashville, Illinois, just northwest of the Quad State region, which resulted in a secondary dam failure. Neighboring portions of Jefferson and Perry Counties received 3-6 and 2-5 inches, respectively. Extensive street flooding occurred in Mount Vernon, while some roads north of Tamaroa flooded for the second time with...
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 Wayne 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 Wayne 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.