Enter any address in Tama County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is a significant concern in Tama County. Between May 20 and May 25, 2024, multiple rounds of thunderstorms dropped 4 to 6 inches of rain across the area, leading to widespread flash flooding. Similar events occurred earlier in May 2024, with slow-moving storms producing 2 to 4 inches of rain and causing flash flooding.
Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 46 flood events and 19 flash flood events recorded in Tama County. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $9,953 and an average water depth of 9.8 feet. While Zone X properties have had fewer claims, the average payout was $5,771 with a notable average water depth of 13.2 feet. Residents in Zone A and those near waterways should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
53 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Tama County, Iowa has recorded 65 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 46 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, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 9, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Feb 23, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 25, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2020 | 400.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2019 | 200.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 21, 2024
There were several rounds of rainfall over the period starting around May 20 through around May 25. This is when there were two rounds of heavy rainfall along with severe thunderstorms including tornadoes and straight-line winds, detailed in respective severe entries for the month. 60-hour rainfall totals ending May 21 at 7pm were up to 4 to 6 inches over portions of Marshall, Tama, Poweshiek, ...
Flash Flood — May 21, 2024
PLEASE NOTE, for tornadoes, please see separate Storm Data entry for May 21st. ||Multiple rounds of thunderstorms brought torrential rainfall, damaging winds, hail and destructive tornadoes to the state. These thunderstorms were the result of a low pressure system which lifted north into the area on the night of May 20th, 2024, producing slow moving storms that dropped 2 to 4 inches of rainfall...
Flood — Jun 25, 2020
A wet end to the 3rd week of June and continued moderate to heavy rainfalls into the middle of the 4th week of June caused rivers across the eastern portions of the Des Moines CWA to swell and reach flood stage from as little as a few hours near Tama to a few days around Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Hudson.
Flood — Jun 23, 2020
A surface low to the northwest of Iowa allowed for convection to develop in the warm sector and along the surface boundary as it pushed across northern Iowa through the afternoon and evening of the 21st. These storms caused damaging winds and large hail across northern and central Iowa. Localized areas received heavy rain that resulted in flooding overnight. Another shortwave embedded within th...
Flood — Jun 22, 2020
A surface low to the northwest of Iowa allowed for convection to develop in the warm sector and along the surface boundary as it pushed across northern Iowa through the afternoon and evening of the 21st. These storms caused damaging winds and large hail across northern and central Iowa. Localized areas received heavy rain that resulted in flooding overnight. Another shortwave embedded within th...
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 Tama 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 Tama 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.