Enter any address in Iowa County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Iowa County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 37 recorded flash flood events and 32 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on August 25, 2021, following several inches of rain in a few hours, and a flood event on June 9, 2020, associated with Tropical Depression Cristobal which brought 2-4 inches of rain to the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced 19 claims with an average payout of $5,605 and an average water depth of 6.7 feet. Properties in Zone X have had 5 claims with a higher average payout of $10,604, though with a lower average water depth of 5.2 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X who have experienced higher payouts, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
25 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Iowa County, Iowa has recorded 69 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 37 flash floods and 32 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 9 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2024 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Aug 10, 2020 |
| 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, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 17, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 9, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 5, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
A decaying mesoscale convective system moved into eastern Iowa during the morning hours of July 20th. These showers and storms produced heavy rain with trained spotters reporting 1 to 3 inches of rain. This lead to flash flooding in parts of Washington, Louisa, and Muscatine Counties.
Flash Flood — Aug 25, 2021
Heavy rain fell the morning of August 25th, resulting in some flash flooding in Iowa County. Several inches of rain fell in a few hours.
Flood — Jun 9, 2020
Tropical Depression Cristobal tracked across much of the mid and upper Mississippi River Valley on the morning and afternoon of June 9, 2020. Very high levels of moisture were present, bringing very heavy rainfall to much of the region, especially eastern Iowa. Rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches fell roughly west of a line from Keosauqua IA, to Burlington IA, to Guttenberg IA. Localized amounts of ...
Flash Flood — May 29, 2019
An upper level low moved over Iowa, sparking some showers and thunderstorms during the late afternoon and evening. Some of the storms spawned some funnel clouds and weak tornadoes. The storm complex then expanded and produced heavy rain. These heavy rains fell on completely saturated soils, and produced a round of significant flash flooding, which closed many roads.
Flash Flood — May 28, 2019
A frontal boundary settled across northern Kansas, northern Missouri and central Illinois. This front was the focus area for the development of several rounds of showers and thunderstorms that impacted the region. The first round came through during the morning, and produced mainly torrential rainfall, small hail, brief wind gusts and frequent lightning. |The second round of showers and thunder...
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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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.