Enter any address in Adair County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Adair County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 21 flood events and 19 flash flood events in the county. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 20, 2025, and widespread flooding on May 28, 2019, both attributed to severe thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall.
Homeowners, particularly those in areas prone to rapid water accumulation or located near waterways, should be aware of these risks. Residents with properties situated in zones without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) designation should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
35 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Adair County, Iowa has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 21 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 12, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 6, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 19, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 23, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 10, 2007 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 28, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 15.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2019 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2019 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2014 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2010 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 26, 2009 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2009 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2008 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2008 | 20.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
A moist and unstable environment on the southern side of an east-west oriented boundary brought thunderstorms to areas along and south of Interstate 80 in Iowa during the late evening of July 19th, 2025 and morning of July 20th, 2025. Despite 30 to 40 kts of shear, storms generally remained sub-severe as they tracked southward through Iowa. However, upon reaching the southern portions of the st...
Flood — May 28, 2019
The hits just kept on rolling, with yet another pair of rounds of strong to severe storms, heavy rainfall, and flooding. Through much of the end of May, the synoptic setup across the region remained relatively unchanged, including this event. Upper level flow continued to be out of the SW, precipitable water values remained in excess of 1.5 inches, and a relatively stationary boundary remained ...
Flash Flood — May 24, 2019
The setup over Iowa was primed for a heavy rainfall event for a few reasons, including persistent SW 500 mb flow, a strong and SW oriented 850 mb jet, strong low level moisture transport, and elevated CAPE around 1000-2000 J/kg. Precipitable water values, given the strong moisture transport into the area, rose into the neighborhood of 1.7 inches throughout the event as well. While effective bul...
Flash Flood — Jun 3, 2014
A very dynamic weather pattern was in place over the central U.S. on the 3rd. A strong short wave moved out of the Rockies onto the Plains during the day. Thunderstorms formed early in Nebraska and South Dakota. The storms spread and developed southeast into Iowa during the afternoon and evening. The airmass became unstable with CAPE values rising to about 2000 J/kg. Downdraft CAPE rose to...
Flash Flood — May 25, 2010
A warm and humid airmass was in place across Iowa on the 25th. The flow was quite weak with only 5 to 10 kts of shear. Afternoon temperatures warmed into the 80s with dew points in the mid 60s to around 70. There was a fair amount of instability with available CAPE around 3500 J/kg by early to mid afternoon. A weak cold frontal boundary extended from north central into southwest Iowa by mid...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Adair County, Iowa:
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 Adair County, Iowa 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.