Enter any address in Clay County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along area streams and rivers is the dominant flood character in Clay County, IA. Between 2004 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 170 flood events and 18 flash flood events, resulting in one reported death. A significant multi-day rainfall event in June 2024 brought between 5 and 10 inches of rain to the region, causing major to record flooding along area streams and rivers, with extensive overland flooding also reported.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $66,814 and an average water depth of 1.7 feet. While fewer claims have been filed in other zones, including Zone X and Zone X_SHADED, they still represent a financial risk. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those residing 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.
28 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clay County, Iowa has recorded 188 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 170 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 (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 |
| 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, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 9, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 25.59M (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Jun 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flood — Apr 30, 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 the month.
Flood — May 24, 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 — 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 — May 21, 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 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...
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 Clay 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 Clay 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.