Enter any address in Linn County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Linn County, IA. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 58 flash flood events and 27 other flood events. For example, on April 20, 2025, severe thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall and damaging winds in the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $58,473 and an average water depth of 28.9 feet. Zone X_SHADED properties also saw significant payouts, averaging $61,503 with a water depth of 19.3 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED, as well as those in areas with lower-lying terrain or near waterways, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
26 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Linn County, Iowa has recorded 85 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 58 flash floods and 27 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sep 21, 2016 |
| 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 Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 10, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Feb 23, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 20, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 17, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 20, 2025
A surface low with an attendant warm front moved across eastern Iowa into northwest Illinois. This low system brought widespread showers and thunderstorms to the area. Overall widespread rainfall of 1 to 3 inches fell. This resulted in flash flooding in parts of the cities of Muscatine and Cedar Rapids. There was also a funnel cloud reported in Cedar Rapids.
Flash Flood — Apr 20, 2025
A line of severe thunderstorms lifted north northeastward along the Mississippi River through the Quad Cites with an area of trailing stratiform rainfall behind it. There were scattered reports of thunderstorm wind damage in the counties along the Mississippi River. A microburst occurred near West Burlington that caused damage to a DOT Shet and broke several power poles. An NWS Storm Survey te...
Flash Flood — Jul 11, 2025
On July 11th, a line of severe thunderstorms moved across eastern Iowa and produced damaging straight-line winds, tornadoes and heavy rain. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches fell in a few hours across the Quad Cities, on top of heavy rain from the previous night and caused major flash flooding in Davenport. A Considerable Flash Flood warning was issued at 5:26 PM followed by a Flash Flood Emerge...
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2025
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms tracked across the area early Sunday August 10th, bringing very heavy rain, frequent lightning, and some localized gusty winds. Rainfall rates over 2/hr on top of saturated ground caused flash flooding with water over roadways and creeks overflowing. Late afternoon and evening storms brought more heavy rain and three brief tornadoes in Lee county in Iowa and Cla...
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2024
Thunderstorms rapidly developed over northern Iowa during the afternoon and organized into a powerful line of wind producing storms that surged through the Quad Cities and into northern and central Illinois through the evening hours. These storms brought widespread damaging winds up to 100 mph for many locations, extending across eastern Iowa, much of Illinois, and into Indiana. The Storm Pre...
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 Linn 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 Linn 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.