Enter any address in Osceola County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Osceola County, Iowa has recorded 12 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 4 flash floods and 8 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 (1965–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 16, 2024 |
| 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 6, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 14, 2014 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Apr 9, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 28, 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 | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 2.15M |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 2.56M |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 16, 2014 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Mar 16, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2002 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2001 | — |
Flash Flood — Jun 21, 2024
More isolated afternoon and early evening storms erupted just north of a frontal boundary across northeast Nebraska and western Iowa, which produced up to quarter size hail and damaging wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph. Storms became more widespread during the evening given a mid-level impulse and increase in the low-level jet across the frontal boundary. The rain regenerated in many of the same area...
Flood — Jun 20, 2024
A multi-day significant heavy rainfall event from June 20-22 resulted in widespread rain totals between 5 and 10 inches across portions of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota. As rainfall reached area streams and rivers, major to record flooding was observed, devastating several towns and communities. Extensive overland flooding also resulted in significant impacts a...
Flood — Mar 13, 2019
Rainfall of one to three inches on frozen ground and into a snow pack with between 1 and 3 inches of liquid water equivalent resulted in considerable areal flooding and flooding of small streams. Numerous roads, bridges and homes were compromised by flood water, especially in areas near Hornick, Danbury, Holly Springs, and Moville.
Flood — Jun 1, 2019
During crop planting season, prolonged flooding led to the loss of or inability to plant crops across the area. Crop loss estimates provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Flood — Jun 16, 2014
Thunderstorms produced numerous events of large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding, and areal flooding across most of northwest Iowa from late morning through the evening of June 16th. There was also one brief tornado. The areal flooding was a longer term event and persisted through much of June 18th.
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 Osceola 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 Osceola 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.