Enter any address in Jay County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Jay County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 9 flood events and 9 flash flood events. For example, heavy rainfall and flash flooding were the primary threats following thunderstorms on July 13, 2015.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A experienced 29 claims with an average payout of $9,292 and an average water depth of 4.4 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED had 3 claims with an average payout of $52,537 and an average water depth of 6.7 feet, while Zone X had 2 claims with an average payout of $21,989 and an average water depth of 8.5 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near rivers and streams, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Jay County, Indiana has recorded 18 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 9 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 30, 2008 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 12, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 1, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 21, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 26, 2003 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 4, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 13, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 7, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 28, 2011 | 1.50M |
| Flood | May 14, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2005 | — |
Flash Flood — Jul 26, 2025
Thunderstorms in the afternoon of July 26 produced isolated instances of wind damage, primarily in Jay County. The storm there exhibited supercell characteristics before dissipating.
Flood — Jun 26, 2015
An unseasonably strong area of low pressure moved through the Ohio Valley on June 26-27 which brought moderate to heavy rain to the area. Between 3 and 6 inches of rain fell in a 24 hour period.
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2015
A northward retreating outflow boundary from morning thunderstorms and eastward migration of upstream instability allowed for convection to fire later in the evening as the cap eroded and an upstream upper level trough approached the region. Storms initially produced isolated hail and wind damage, however heavy rainfall and flash flooding quickly became the primary threat.
Flood — Jul 13, 2015
A northward retreating outflow boundary from morning thunderstorms and eastward migration of upstream instability allowed for convection to fire later in the evening as the cap eroded and an upstream upper level trough approached the region. Storms initially produced isolated hail and wind damage, however heavy rainfall and flash flooding quickly became the primary threat.
Flood — Jul 7, 2015
A slow moving frontal boundary allowed for continuous rainfall through the day of July 7th. Saturated ground conditions allowed for slow rising flood waters to impact Jay County, after and estimated 1 to 4 inches of rain had fallen.
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 Jay County, Indiana:
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 Jay County, Indiana 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.