Enter any address in Clayton County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Mississippi and its tributaries is the dominant flood character in Clayton County, IA. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 149 flood events and 36 flash flood events. For example, heavy rain in June 2024 contributed to widespread river flooding across northeast Iowa, with the Mississippi River entering flood stage and remaining high into July. Earlier, in August 2025, slow-moving storms caused heavy rain and washed out a local county road.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A, which are typically areas of higher flood risk, have seen 149 claims with an average payout of $12,675 and an average water depth of 4.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also experienced significant flooding, with 3 claims averaging $16,402 and a water depth of 2.7 feet. Homeowners and real estate agents should pay close attention to properties located near rivers and in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X_SHADED, as these zones have historically experienced substantial flood impacts.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
75 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clayton County, Iowa has recorded 185 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 36 flash floods and 149 river or area floods. The county has received 27 federal disaster declarations, 14 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 24, 2023 |
| 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 | Jul 19, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Sep 21, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 20, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 21, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2013 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 27, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2022 | 50.00K |
Flood — Aug 19, 2025
Heavy rain throughout the middle of August contributed to rises along many area rivers in northeast Iowa. This included minor to moderate flooding along portions of the Little Cedar and Cedar Rivers, as well as the Upper Iowa and Turkey Rivers.
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2025
During the evening hours on August 10th, a slow moving cluster of storms moved into Clayton County and corresponding heavy rain resulted in a local county road becoming washed out. These storms moved into Grant County in Wisconsin where they caused additional flooding.
Flood — Jun 26, 2024
Well above average rainfall throughout June in conjunction with late-month heavy rainfall contributed to additional rises into flood stage along the Mississippi River. River gauges at both Guttenberg and Lansing reached minor flood stage before the end of the month and observed rising river levels into July.
Flood — Jun 24, 2024
Above normal rainfall over the course of June, combined with a robust rainfall event between June 20th and 22nd, led to widespread river flooding across portions of northeast Iowa. Rainfall amounts upwards of 5 inches between the 20th and 22nd allowed the Mississippi River, Cedar River and many other river basins in northeast Iowa to enter flood stage towards the end of June. Flooding along the...
Flood — Jul 1, 2024
Heavy rainfall throughout June led to many locations along the Mississippi River in northeast Iowa to enter flood stage which persisted into July. During the first week of July many points along the Mississippi River observed their maximum river stage in minor to moderate flooding. As relatively drier conditions took hold through the first half of July, river stages fell below flood stage into ...
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 Clayton 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 Clayton 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.