Enter any address in Jefferson County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Jefferson County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 14 flash flood events and 9 general flood events. For example, on June 24, 2021, strong thunderstorms produced heavy rain, with rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, leading to significant flash flooding in Jefferson and Van Buren Counties.
Residents in Jefferson County should be aware of their flood risk, particularly those living in areas prone to rapid water level rises from intense rainfall. Homeowners, journalists, and real estate agents should pay close attention to properties located near potential flood zones, as these areas are more susceptible to the impacts of flash flooding and general inundation.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Jefferson County, Iowa has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 12 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, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 20, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 17, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 10, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Feb 23, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Flood | Jun 13, 1998 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Apr 13, 1993 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | May 23, 1973 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 19, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2010 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Aug 13, 2010 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2008 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2008 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 24, 2021
A line of strong thunderstorms and heavy rain moved through Iowa on the 24th, which led to flash flooding for some areas. The areas seeing the largest impact were in Jefferson and Van Buren Counties in Iowa. The environment in which these storms were in not only favored thunderstorms, but heavy rain, as moisture indices were near record level. Very efficient rain rates were seen, where 2 to 3 i...
Flash Flood — May 14, 2020
Showers and thunderstorms tracked across central Iowa into eastern Iowa, northeast Missouri, and northwest Illinois late Friday afternoon and into the overnight hours. These storms brought heavy rain, frequent lightning, damaging winds, and large hail to the region. The hardest hit areas were Keokuk county in Iowa, towards Henry county in Iowa, where 50-70 mph winds occurred. A weak EF-1 torn...
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...
Flood — May 19, 2019
Extensive flooding occurred late May and into June across eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois, and northeast Missouri. The last half of May was very wet with 5-8 inches of rain falling over the region. This combined with saturated soils, brought many rivers above Moderate to Major flood levels. Many climate sites only saw 3 days of no precipitation from May 16th to May 31st. |The Wapsipinicon, Iow...
Flash Flood — Aug 13, 2010
A cluster of thunderstorms developed and moved eastward across Delaware County during the early morning hours of August 13. One storm was severe downing a tree in Manchester, IA. ||During the afternoon and evening, an area of showers and thunderstorms ahead of a cold front over central Iowa moved eastward into eastern Iowa and northern Missouri. Damaging winds, flooding rains, and lightning ...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.