Enter any address in Cedar County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Cedar County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 17 flash flood events and 15 general flood events. For example, significant flash flooding occurred in May 2019 due to heavy rains falling on saturated soils, closing many roads. Another instance in October 2018 saw 2 to 4 inches of rain on already saturated ground, causing flash flooding across eastern Iowa.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent flood claims, with 23 claims averaging $17,597. However, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen the highest average payouts, with 2 claims averaging $98,809 and an average water depth of 37.5 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cedar County, Iowa has recorded 32 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 17 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2024 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Aug 10, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 26, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 21, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 17, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 10, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Feb 23, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 6, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 27, 2016 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 17, 2013 | 250.00K |
Flash Flood — May 29, 2019
An upper level low moved over Iowa, sparking some showers and thunderstorms during the late afternoon and evening. Some of the storms spawned some funnel clouds and weak tornadoes. The storm complex then expanded and produced heavy rain. These heavy rains fell on completely saturated soils, and produced a round of significant flash flooding, which closed many roads.
Flash Flood — Oct 6, 2018
Thunderstorms with heavy rain moved over the same areas through the early morning hours in eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois. A band of 2 to 4 inches of rain fell on already saturated soils, causing a stripe of flash flooding from Keokuk County through Clinton County, and Stephenson County in northwest Illinois.
Flood — Sep 27, 2016
Significant record to near record heavy rainfall in North Central and Northeast Iowa from 21 to 23 September of 4 to over 10 plus inches caused major river flooding on many forecast points on the Iowa tributaries of the Wapsipinicon, Cedar, lower Iowa, and Maquoketa rivers. Then major river flooding occurred downstream on the Mississppi River from the Iowa River and Mississippi River converge...
Flash Flood — Aug 12, 2016
Widespread showers and thunderstorms developed late in the evening of August 11th and continued overnight into August 12th along and ahead of a cold front that moved southeastward across Iowa. These showers and thunderstorms produced very heavy rainfall across eastern Iowa. Widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches were common across eastern Iowa with some higher amounts of 5 to 7 inches fall...
Flash Flood — Jun 15, 2015
Thunderstorms falling on top of saturated soils brought heavy rains and caused flash flooding in portion of east central Iowa the afternoon of June 15th.
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 Cedar 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 Cedar 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.