Enter any address in Ida County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and widespread flooding from heavy rainfall events are the dominant flood character for Ida County, Iowa. Between 1994 and 2024, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 14 flood events and 10 flash flood events in the county. A significant rainfall event in June 2024 resulted in major to record river flooding and extensive overland flooding across portions of northwest Iowa. Historic flooding also occurred in March 2019, when heavy rainfall on frozen ground and existing snowpack led to considerable areal flooding and compromised numerous roads, bridges, and homes, particularly near Hornick, Danbury, Holly Springs, and Moville.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has processed 6 claims in Zone A within Ida County, with an average payout of $5,146 and an average water depth of 6.8 feet. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near streams and rivers, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ida County, Iowa has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 26, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Apr 9, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 19, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 23, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 5, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 810.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 21, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 16, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2014 | 500.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2014 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 23, 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 — Mar 13, 2019
A historic flooding event unfolded as heavy rainfall drenched the area on March 13-14, 2019. With frozen and impervious ground, full and rapid runoff was maximized. In addition to the rainfall, between 1 and 3 inches of snow water equivalent remained in the snow pack south of Interstate 90, with 3 to 6 inches of snow water equivalent north of Interstate 90. Fifteen river gage sites measured rec...
Flood — Mar 13, 2019
Rainfall of one to three inches on frozen ground and into a snow pack with between 1 and 3 inches of liquid water equivalent resulted in considerable areal flooding and flooding of small streams. Numerous roads, bridges and homes were compromised by flood water, especially in areas near Hornick, Danbury, Holly Springs, and Moville.
Flood — Jun 1, 2019
During crop planting season, prolonged flooding led to the loss of or inability to plant crops across the area. Crop loss estimates provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Flood — Jun 26, 2018
Starting June 20, the area was impacted adversely by several very slow moving mid-level waves which drifted across the northern and central Plains and interacted with a nearly stationary region of baroclinicity during the following week. High precipitable water and persistent lift forcing resulted in a widespread 3 to 6 inches of rainfall, with amounts from 7 to 11 inches around the Iowa Great ...
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 Ida 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 Ida 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.