Enter any address in Louisa County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is a significant hazard in Louisa County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 57 flood events and 27 flash flood events, with one recorded fatality. For example, on July 11th, 2025, heavy rainfall caused major flash flooding in the Quad Cities area, and on July 20th, 2025, similar conditions led to flash flooding in Louisa and Muscatine Counties.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced a high volume of claims, with an average payout of $28,525 and an average water depth of 12.4 feet. While Zone X has fewer claims, the average payout is higher at $40,908, with an average water depth of 6.1 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay close attention to flood information and consider flood insurance.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
28 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Louisa County, Iowa has recorded 84 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 27 flash floods and 57 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 12, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Feb 23, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 3, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 8, 2001 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 26, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 16, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 25, 2025
A thunderstorm complex associated with an MCV lifted northeastward across parts of eastern Iowa. This complex of storms was slow moving and produced heavy rain as it lifted across the area. This lead to flash flooding in Louisa and Muscatine Counties. Trained spotters reported rainfall amounts up to 3.25 inches.
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 — 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...
Flood — Jul 2, 2024
Rain that fell during the month of June across Minnesota and Wisconsin caused rises on the Mississippi River along the Iowa and Illinois border. Additionally, heavy rain that fell locally in July helped to prolong the crest and delay the river falling below flood stage, especially south of the Wapsipinicon, Rock, and Iowa Rivers.
Flood — Apr 26, 2023
Significant flooding occurred on the mainstem Mississippi largely due to the record snowfall this winter in Minnesota and Wisconsin, frozen ground, rapid snowmelt during the middle of April, and saturated soils. Major flooding was observed at all sites along the Mississippi north of Keokuk Iowa and most sites saw one of their top 10 crests on record.|This flooding had numerous impacts, with ma...
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 Louisa 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 Louisa 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.