Enter any address in Dickinson County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Dickinson County. Between 2004 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 81 flood events and 31 flash flood events. Recent significant rainfall in June 2024 resulted in widespread totals of 5 to 10 inches across portions of northwest Iowa, leading to major to record river flooding and extensive overland flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced an average of 8 claims with an average payout of $21,200 and an average water depth of 0.2 feet. Properties in Zone X have had 7 claims with an average payout of $20,204 and an average water depth of 28.4 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those located near streams and rivers, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
27 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Dickinson County, Iowa has recorded 112 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 31 flash floods and 81 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 (1965–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 16, 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 Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Apr 9, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 9, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 23, 2009 |
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 | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 1.90M |
| Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 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 — 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...
Flash Flood — Jun 21, 2024
More isolated afternoon and early evening storms erupted just north of a frontal boundary across northeast Nebraska and western Iowa, which produced up to quarter size hail and damaging wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph. Storms became more widespread during the evening given a mid-level impulse and increase in the low-level jet across the frontal boundary. The rain regenerated in many of the same area...
Flood — Jun 20, 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 Dickinson 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 Dickinson 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.