Enter any address in Appanoose County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving storms is the dominant flood character in Appanoose County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 38 flash flood events and 33 flood events. For example, in August 2021, several inches of rain resulted in flash flooding. Similarly, in May 2019, heavy rainfall and flooding occurred due to persistent atmospheric conditions.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $12,240 and an average water depth of 4.8 feet. Properties in Zone X had fewer claims with an average payout of $2,984 and no reported water depth. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay the most attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
62 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Appanoose County, Iowa has recorded 71 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 38 flash floods and 33 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 (1973–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Dec 15, 2021 |
| 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 20, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 17, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 10, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 29, 2019 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2019 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2019 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2015 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jun 25, 2015 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Jun 25, 2015 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2015 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 12, 2021
A slow moving boundary across southern Iowa provided the impetus for training storms along the Iowa Missouri border. Several inches of rain fell and resulted in flash flooding in Appanoose county. Later in the afternoon as the front lifted into central Iowa scattered storms developed within the warm sector. While storms remained below severe thresholds, they did produce two brief funnel clouds ...
Flood — Sep 29, 2019
After a moderate to heavy rainfall event providing 2 to 3 inches just prior to this, the pump was primed so to speak for flooding potential. A generally stationary front resided south of the area into Missouri, but upper level and mid level flow strongly suggested storms would track north of the surface boundary and across portions of southern and central Iowa. The initial wave of rain was init...
Flash Flood — Sep 29, 2019
After a moderate to heavy rainfall event providing 2 to 3 inches just prior to this, the pump was primed so to speak for flooding potential. A generally stationary front resided south of the area into Missouri, but upper level and mid level flow strongly suggested storms would track north of the surface boundary and across portions of southern and central Iowa. The initial wave of rain was init...
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 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 ...
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 Appanoose 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 Appanoose 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.