Enter any address in Ringgold County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates the flood character of Ringgold County. Between 2013 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 20 flash flood events and 11 general flood events in the county. Recent examples include flash flooding on September 5, 2018, following heavy rainfall on saturated ground, and on August 1, 2016, when storms produced over four inches of rain in some areas.
Homeowners in flood zones, particularly those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or located near areas prone to rapid water accumulation, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
26 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ringgold County, Iowa has recorded 31 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 8 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Tornado | Apr 26, 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 3, 2014 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 5, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2016 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2016 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 7, 2015 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Sep 10, 2014 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 9, 2014 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2014 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2014 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 17, 2013 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2010 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 5, 2018
Wet conditions continued across the state with yet another round of moderate to heavy rainfall on top of already mostly saturated conditions. A shortwave moving through the upper level flow out of the southwest, a surface front situated to the west and northwest of the state, and strong 850 mb flow were the main contributors to showers and storms. ||Conditions were certainly conducive for hea...
Flash Flood — Aug 28, 2016
A weak frontal boundary draped itself across the state the previous day and into the 28th, oscillating roughly between northern and southern Iowa. During the morning and early afternoon of the 28th the boundary had made its way into southern Iowa, allowing storms to initiate and train in the area. Given the thermodynamic and wind profiles, a little bit of everything was able to occur. Ranging...
Flash Flood — Aug 1, 2016
A line of nocturnal storms blossomed across western and southwest Iowa, remaining relatively stationary for a couple hours before slowly moving eastward through the morning hours. Some redevelopment occurred to the north, before sliding southward and weakening into the afternoon. In all, heavy rain was the primary result with locations in excess of 4 inches and even a 7 inch report in far sout...
Flash Flood — Sep 7, 2015
A slow moving cold front entered the state and produced heavy rainfall across a large portion of central Iowa. The front eventually stalled, and transitioned to a northward moving warm front the next day. Rainfall totals were generally in excess of 2 inches, with the largest reports in excess of 5 inches, resulting in some localized flash flooding. In addition to the heavy rainfall, a lone s...
Flood — Sep 10, 2014
Deep moisture moved into Iowa as a strong shortwave moved into the central U.S. Moisture from former hurricane Norbert moved into the central U.S. as a low pressure system developed over Kansas. The low from Kansas moved northeast into Iowa during the night of the 9th and morning of the 10th. The low was over southwest Wisconsin on the morning of the 10th. The atmosphere was unstable with 1...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Ringgold 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 Ringgold 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.