Enter any address in Adams County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Adams County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 26 flash flood events and 14 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on June 25, 2019, and July 18, 2016, following periods of heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A, which are areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, have experienced claims. These claims averaged $10,183, with an average water depth of 0.0 feet recorded. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those located near waterways or in lower-lying terrain, should pay close attention to flood risk.
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.
Adams County, Iowa has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 5 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 3, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 19, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 10, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 29, 2015 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2015 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2015 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2014 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2014 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2014 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2011 | 15.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2019
During the evening of the 25th, a number of storms were able to initiate along a relatively stationary boundary situated across southern Iowa. On the warm side of the boundary surface conditions were in the mid 80s for temperature and upper 60s to low 70s dewpoints. Additionally, the conditions yielded an environment with 2000-3000+ J/kg SB/MUCAPE, 30-40 kts of effective bulk shear, 500-700 J/...
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2019
During the evening of the 25th, a number of storms were able to initiate along a relatively stationary boundary situated across southern Iowa. On the warm side of the boundary surface conditions were in the mid 80s for temperature and upper 60s to low 70s dewpoints. Additionally, the conditions yielded an environment with 2000-3000+ J/kg SB/MUCAPE, 30-40 kts of effective bulk shear, 500-700 J/...
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2016
A cold front moved through the state during the afternoon and evening hours of the 17th of July, eventually stalling out and lingering across central and southern Iowa. Resulting issues were primarily heavy rain focused, with amounts generally in the 2 to 4 inch range with a lone report of over 5 inches. A couple flash flood reports occurred as a result of the heavy rainfall. In addition to th...
Flood — Jul 29, 2015
A boundary was pushing through the state with ongoing convection through central Iowa through the day. As the boundary neared the area, the convection intensified and impacted central and southern Iowa in the evening to early morning hours. Two thunderstorm complexes moved through portions of central and southern Iowa with very heavy rainfall causing flash flooding. The severe thunderstorm comp...
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2015
A boundary was pushing through the state with ongoing convection through central Iowa through the day. As the boundary neared the area, the convection intensified and impacted central and southern Iowa in the evening to early morning hours. Two thunderstorm complexes moved through portions of central and southern Iowa with very heavy rainfall causing flash flooding. The severe thunderstorm comp...
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 Adams 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 Adams 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.