Enter any address in Taylor County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Taylor County. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 19 flood events and 16 flash flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on May 28, 2019, following rounds of heavy rainfall, and on July 18, 2016, when a stalled cold front brought 2 to 4 inches of rain to the area.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that most claims in Taylor County have been filed from Zone A and Zone Unknown areas. Claims from Zone A averaged $8,586, while Zone Unknown claims averaged $406. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those uncertain of their flood zone status, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
27 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Taylor County, Iowa has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1979–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 3, 2014 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Flood | Jun 13, 1998 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2015 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2014 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Jun 27, 2011 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 11, 2011 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 5, 2010 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Jun 5, 2010 | 50.00K |
Flash Flood — May 28, 2019
The hits just kept on rolling, with yet another pair of rounds of strong to severe storms, heavy rainfall, and flooding. Through much of the end of May, the synoptic setup across the region remained relatively unchanged, including this event. Upper level flow continued to be out of the SW, precipitable water values remained in excess of 1.5 inches, and a relatively stationary boundary remained ...
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2016
A cold front moved through the state during the afternoon and evening hours of the 17th of July, eventually stalling out and lingering across central and southern Iowa. Resulting issues were primarily heavy rain focused, with amounts generally in the 2 to 4 inch range with a lone report of over 5 inches. A couple flash flood reports occurred as a result of the heavy rainfall. In addition to th...
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2015
A boundary was pushing through the state with ongoing convection through central Iowa through the day. As the boundary neared the area, the convection intensified and impacted central and southern Iowa in the evening to early morning hours. Two thunderstorm complexes moved through portions of central and southern Iowa with very heavy rainfall causing flash flooding. The severe thunderstorm comp...
Flash Flood — Jun 11, 2015
A primarily heavy rain event affecting the southern half of Iowa. Storms were ongoing across portions of central Iowa during the day, with an area of low pressure centered across north central Kansas. Additional storm development occurred across southern Iowa to the north of a stationary front draped eastward from the surface low across northern Missouri. A few severe reports occurred with some...
Flash Flood — Jun 3, 2014
A very dynamic weather pattern was in place over the central U.S. on the 3rd. A strong short wave moved out of the Rockies onto the Plains during the day. Thunderstorms formed early in Nebraska and South Dakota. The storms spread and developed southeast into Iowa during the afternoon and evening. The airmass became unstable with CAPE values rising to about 2000 J/kg. Downdraft CAPE rose to...
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 Taylor 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 Taylor 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.