Enter any address in Lucas County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is a significant concern in Lucas County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 90 flood events and 17 flash flood events. For example, on June 24, 2021, storms produced 3 to 6 inches of rain in a few hours across southern Iowa, with one location reporting over 7 inches. Another instance of heavy rainfall and flooding occurred on May 28, 2019, as part of a series of strong storms.
While most flood claims in Lucas County are in Zone X (unshaded), indicating areas with moderate flood risk, a small number of claims have also been filed in zones designated as unknown. These claims, though fewer, show an average payout of $473. Homeowners in areas identified as Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk designations, should pay close attention to flood warnings and consider flood insurance.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
86 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lucas County, Iowa has recorded 107 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 17 flash floods and 90 river or area floods. The county has received 15 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 (1973–2020)
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 20, 2015 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2019 | 80.00K |
| Flood | Oct 9, 2018 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Oct 9, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2016 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Jun 25, 2015 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Jun 25, 2015 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2014 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Sep 10, 2014 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 10, 2014 | 50.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 24, 2021
Deep Gulf moisture fed into the state with the LLJ pushing a warm front north into southern Iowa through the late evening. Storms motion was generally parallel to the boundary, resulting in training of storms across southern Iowa and heavy rain. Many locations in southern Iowa received 3 to 6 inches of rain in a few hours with one location reporting over 7 inches of rain.
Flood — May 28, 2019
The hits just kept on rolling, with yet another pair of rounds of strong to severe storms, heavy rainfall, and flooding. Through much of the end of May, the synoptic setup across the region remained relatively unchanged, including this event. Upper level flow continued to be out of the SW, precipitable water values remained in excess of 1.5 inches, and a relatively stationary boundary remained ...
Flood — Oct 9, 2018
Heavy rain continued into mid October with many rivers going into flood again across much of the forecast area. Flooding was observed in the Des Moines, Iowa, Cedar, Chariton, Thompson and Raccoon River basins.
Flood — Oct 9, 2018
Tornadoes made an October appearance along with other strong storms and heavy rainfall as a number of conditions came together. A frontal boundary stalled out across Iowa, situated from southwest to northeast, roughly cutting the state in half. Dew points were on the high side given the time of the year, in the upper 60s to low 70s, yielding low lifted condensation levels. In addition, low leve...
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2016
A complex of storms worked their way across Nebraska overnight on the 18th into the 19th, eventually making their way into Iowa. As those elevated storms approached the central third of Iowa, the linear storms began to backbuild and with increasing convection behind them in association with ongoing warm air advection. Through the morning hours ample lightning was associated with the storms alo...
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 Lucas 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 Lucas 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.