Enter any address in Plymouth County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
River flooding along the Floyd River Basin is a significant concern in Plymouth County. Recent events, such as the July 2025 flood driven by saturated soils and increased runoff, and the major to record flooding observed in June 2024 following a multi-day heavy rainfall event, illustrate the potential for widespread impacts. These events highlight how rainfall can lead to substantial rises in area streams and rivers.
Homeowners in flood-prone areas should be particularly aware of their specific flood zone designation. While Zone A areas have seen a higher number of claims with moderate average payouts and water depths, Zone X areas have also experienced claims with deeper average water depths and significant payouts. Properties located near rivers or in areas susceptible to overland flooding should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
34 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Plymouth County, Iowa has recorded 138 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 116 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 | Flood | Jun 14, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 23, 2009 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 28, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 15, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 1.58M |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 30, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jul 31, 2025
A wet period at the end of the July resulted in saturated soils and increased runoff, allowing for isolated river flooding through portions of the Floyd River Basin. The sharpest rises were observed with a heavy rain on the night of July 29 into the morning of July 30.
Flood — Jun 23, 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 — Jun 22, 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 — Jun 21, 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 — Jul 1, 2024
River levels from the historic June flooding remained above flood stage for some locations into July, although continued a declining trend.
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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth 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.