Enter any address in Pocahontas County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Pocahontas County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 35 flood events and 8 flash flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on May 13, 2023, and June 14, 2018, which brought heavy rains to the region.
These events can cause significant disruption and damage. Homeowners, particularly those in areas prone to rapid water accumulation or without adequate flood protection measures, should remain aware of flood risks and monitor weather conditions.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
37 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Pocahontas County, Iowa has recorded 43 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 8 flash floods and 35 river or area floods. The county has received 22 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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Dec 15, 2021 |
| 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 Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Apr 9, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 19, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2018 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2008 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2007 | 75.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2006 | 5K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2005 | 74.07K |
| Flood | Jul 26, 2005 | 10K |
| Flood | Jun 25, 2005 | 50K |
Flash Flood — May 13, 2023
Convection percolated along a warm front across the area through the morning. By afternoon, storms re-strengthened as as daytime heating helped enhance instability. Despite good instability with MLCAPE over nearing 2000 J/kg, lapse rates were modest and speed shear was weak. Despite this, directional shear was good and when combined with instability for brief stretching, allowed for a number of...
Flash Flood — Jun 14, 2018
After a very brief reprieve from multiple days of activity, another round of storms greeted large parts of central Iowa during the very early morning hours of the 14th, through the rest of the morning, and into the afternoon. Traditional severe weather in the form of hail and damaging winds were sporadic, while heavy rain and flash flooding was the main player. The hail and wind reports were lo...
Flood — Jun 12, 2010
Heavy rainfall during the month of June caused considerable crop losses across the state. Crop damage was done through a combination of inundation flooding and losses due to crops not being able to be planted or rotting in the ground. It is not possible to get a clear breakdown of the percent of damage that can be attributed to each cause. The damage here is not related to the river flooding...
Flash Flood — Jun 11, 2008
An unseasonably strong storm system aloft was located over the northern Rockies. This produced a very strong northward push of moisture into Iowa. After the initial convection from the morning moved out of the area, some clearing spread into the southwest, west central, and parts of central Iowa. The atmosphere became very unstable with lifted indices falling to between -5 and -8 C. MUCAPE ...
Flash Flood — Aug 21, 2007
A nearly stationary frontal boundary remained draped east to west across Iowa once again. The atmosphere became very unstable during the afternoon with highs reaching the upper 80s to low 90s and dew points in the mid 70s to the south of the front. The environment at the beginning of the event showed a CAPE of 5000 to 6000 J/kg and lifted indices in the -9 to -12 C. range. The LCL was a litt...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Pocahontas 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 Pocahontas 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.