Enter any address in Jones County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms and river flooding are the primary flood concerns in Jones County, IA. Over the past 30 years, NOAA data shows an equal number of flood and flash flood events. Recent examples include a flash flood event on May 26, 2022, caused by torrential rainfall from thunderstorms, and river flooding along the Wapsipinicon River in September 2018, following prolonged heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $51,873 and an average water depth of 9.5 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED also show a significant average payout of $42,871, despite a lower average water depth of 1.6 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
16 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Jones County, Iowa has recorded 52 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 26 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 8 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1968–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Jun 21, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 10, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 4, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 27, 2016 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2016 | 1000.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 31, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 17, 2013 | 250.00K |
Flash Flood — May 26, 2022
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms developed across all of eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois and far northeast Missouri on the afternoon of Thursday May 26, 2022. These showers and storms formed in response to an area of low pressure moving across eastern Missouri into central Illinois during the afternoon and evening. This activity slowly rotated around the low, allowing showers and st...
Flood — Sep 4, 2018
Episodes of heavy rainfall of about 5 to 15 inches over a 10 day period in much of northeast Iowa caused the Wapsipinicon River to rise above major flood stage from Independence to DeWitt, about two to seven days after the end of the heavy rain events. The extended duration between the forecast and actual major river flooding allowed preparations to preclude major damage downstream.
Flood — Sep 27, 2016
Significant record to near record heavy rainfall in North Central and Northeast Iowa from 21 to 23 September of 4 to over 10 plus inches caused major river flooding on many forecast points on the Iowa tributaries of the Wapsipinicon, Cedar, lower Iowa, and Maquoketa rivers. Then major river flooding occurred downstream on the Mississppi River from the Iowa River and Mississippi River converge...
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2016
A disturbance interacting with a frontal system produced an area of severe thunderstorms with numerous damaging winds, some flash flooding and a few isolated, brief tornadoes.
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2014
A strong cold front pushed into a very warm unstable air mass as a significant upper level storm system tracked into the northern Great Lakes on June 29-30, 2014. A major severe weather and flash flood event unfolded across the area. This event resulted in the direct deaths of 2 people and direct injuries to 7 others. Three weak tornadoes, widespread damaging winds of 60 to 80 mph, and life-thr...
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 Jones 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 Jones 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.