Enter any address in Muscatine County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Muscatine County. Between 2005 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 52 flood events and 31 flash flood events. For example, on August 10, 2025, multiple rounds of thunderstorms brought heavy rain, causing flash flooding with water over roadways and overflowing creeks. Similarly, on July 11, 2025, heavy rain from severe thunderstorms resulted in major flash flooding in Davenport.
NFIP claims data shows that properties in Zone A have the highest number of claims at 220, with an average payout of $15,302 and an average water depth of 9.7 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a significant number of claims, with 21 claims averaging $17,108 and an average water depth of 15.8 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas prone to flash flooding, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
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.
Muscatine County, Iowa has recorded 83 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 31 flash floods and 52 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 10 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2024 |
| 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, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 17, 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 |
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 | May 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 26, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2020 | 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 — 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 — 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...
Flood — Jul 4, 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.
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 Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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.