Enter any address in Black Hawk County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flood and flash flood events have been the most common weather hazards in Black Hawk County over the last 30 years, with 158 flood events and 44 flash flood events recorded. Recent examples include heavy rainfall leading to flooding in May 2024 and a significant flash flood event on July 11, 2025, driven by slow-moving thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $18,991 and an average water depth of 10.8 feet. Properties in Zone X and Zone X_SHADED have also seen substantial payouts, with average water depths recorded at 9.4 feet and 10.4 feet respectively. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near rivers and streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
157 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Black Hawk County, Iowa has recorded 202 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 44 flash floods and 158 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 9 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Sep 21, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 26, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Jul 10, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Feb 23, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jul 11, 2025
The atmosphere on July 11, 2025, was primed for heavy rainfall, featuring a slow-moving frontal boundary that tapped into a corridor of abundant moisture to its south. This boundary, combined with strong instability, shear oriented along the boundary, and lift from an approaching upper-level disturbance, created an environment highly favorable for slow-moving, training thunderstorms capable of ...
Flash Flood — Jul 11, 2025
The atmosphere on July 11, 2025, was primed for heavy rainfall, featuring a slow-moving frontal boundary that tapped into a corridor of abundant moisture to its south. This boundary, combined with strong instability, shear oriented along the boundary, and lift from an approaching upper-level disturbance, created an environment highly favorable for slow-moving, training thunderstorms capable of ...
Flood — Jun 25, 2024
Heavy rain fell over portions of northern Iowa, especially northwestern Iowa and bordering states later on June 20 through early on June 21. This rainfall caused flash flooding in portions of northwest Iowa and also aided in saturating the soil. As another round of heavy rain fell later on June 21 into the night and morning of June 22, this rainfall led to renewed flash flooding. This rainfall ...
Flood — Jun 24, 2024
Heavy rain fell over portions of northern Iowa, especially northwestern Iowa and bordering states later on June 20 through early on June 21. This rainfall caused flash flooding in portions of northwest Iowa and also aided in saturating the soil. As another round of heavy rain fell later on June 21 into the night and morning of June 22, this rainfall led to renewed flash flooding. This rainfall ...
Flood — May 23, 2024
There were several rounds of rainfall over the period starting around May 20 through around May 25. This is when there were two rounds of heavy rainfall along with severe thunderstorms including tornadoes and straight-line winds, detailed in respective severe entries for the month. 60-hour rainfall totals ending May 21 at 7pm were up to 4 to 6 inches over portions of Marshall, Tama, Poweshiek, ...
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 Black Hawk 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 Black Hawk 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.