Enter any address in Cherokee County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is a significant flood risk in Cherokee County, IA. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 42 flood events and 25 flash flood events. For example, in August 2025, localized heavy rainfall of 1.50 to 3.00 inches in a few hours caused brief flash flooding around Cherokee. More widespread flooding occurred in June 2024, when a multi-day rainfall event of 5 to 10 inches led to major river flooding and extensive overland flooding impacting communities.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $11,101 and an average water depth of 3.2 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also seen claims, with an average payout of $2,883 and an average water depth of 1.2 feet. Residents in Zone A, and those located near streams and rivers, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cherokee County, Iowa has recorded 67 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 42 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 16, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2024 |
| 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 6, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 14, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Apr 9, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 1.02M |
| Flood | May 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 27, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 3.39M |
Flash Flood — Aug 9, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms developed along a strong frontal boundary, which moved across northwest Iowa late in the night of August 8 and early morning of August 9. The thunderstorms were within an environment of marginal shear and decent MUCAPE around 1500 J/kg, and high amounts of moisture led to brief excessive rainfall rates. The heaviest rainfall was focused around Cherokee, where from 1.50 t...
Flood — May 22, 2024
Another wet period during the mid to later part of May drove portions of the upper and middle Little Sioux Basin back above flood stage after only briefly falling below flood stage just a handful of days early.
Flood — Jun 22, 2024
A multi-day significant heavy rainfall event from June 20-22 resulted in widespread rain totals between 5 and 10 inches across portions of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota. As rainfall reached area streams and rivers, major to record flooding was observed, devastating several towns and communities. Extensive overland flooding also resulted in significant impacts a...
Flood — Jun 21, 2024
A multi-day significant heavy rainfall event from June 20-22 resulted in widespread rain totals between 5 and 10 inches across portions of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota. As rainfall reached area streams and rivers, major to record flooding was observed, devastating several towns and communities. Extensive overland flooding also resulted in significant impacts a...
Flood — May 2, 2024
A wet last week of April resulted in saturated conditions and rising stream levels across portions of northwest Iowa. This helped push the Upper Little Sioux River between Milford and Spencer into Minor flood stage at the end of April which continued into May. These high flows translated downstream toward Linn Grove and Cherokee into the first week of May.
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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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.