Enter any address in Keokuk County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms and river overflow are the dominant flood types in Keokuk County. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 24 flood events and 15 flash flood events. For example, in October 2018, successive flash flood events brought widespread river flooding, with major flooding observed on several rivers. Earlier that month, 2 to 4 inches of rain fell on saturated soils, causing flash flooding through the county. In March 2019, snowmelt, frozen ground, ice jams, and rainfall contributed to moderate to major flooding on tributary rivers.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced claims. Between 2004 and 2023, there were 2 claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $13,574 and an average water depth of 1.5 feet. Homeowners and residents in areas prone to flash flooding and located near rivers should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Keokuk County, Iowa has recorded 39 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 24 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 (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, 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 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 10, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Feb 23, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 6, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 16, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 3, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2013 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 2, 2024
A line of organized storms surged into eastern Iowa late in the day and produced severe winds and heavy rainfall. The strongest storms occurred in a swath just south of Interstate 80, including near Iowa City, producing thunderstorm wind gusts of 60 to 80 MPH. There were rainfall amounts of 2 to 3.50 inches.
Flood — Mar 15, 2019
Significant flooding occurred across eastern Iowa during the Spring 2019. Moderate to major flooding was observed on most Iowa tributary rivers due to snowmelt, frozen ground, ice jams, saturated soils, and rainfall from March 9th to 12th.The higher crests occurred on the Skunk, English, Cedar, Wapsipinicon, and Maquoketa Rivers in Iowa. Most of these rivers crested during the 2nd and 3rd wee...
Flood — Oct 12, 2018
A prolonged and exceptionally wet fall combined with successive flash flood events in eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois to bring widespread minor to moderate river flooding to nearly all rivers in this area. In addition, major flooding occurred on rivers, including the Mississippi, Iowa, Wapsipinicon, English, North Skunk, Maquoketa, and Rock Rivers. This major flood event stretched through m...
Flash Flood — Oct 6, 2018
Thunderstorms with heavy rain moved over the same areas through the early morning hours in eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois. A band of 2 to 4 inches of rain fell on already saturated soils, causing a stripe of flash flooding from Keokuk County through Clinton County, and Stephenson County in northwest Illinois.
Flash Flood — Sep 1, 2018
A stationary front interacting with a series of weak upper disturbances produced rounds of storms. Flash flooding occurred with areas of 3 to 6 inches of rain. A few storms also produced winds of 60 to 70 mph and isolated large hail.
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 Keokuk 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 Keokuk 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.