Enter any address in Wayne County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the primary flood hazard in Wayne County, IA. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 61 flood events and 27 flash flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on May 28, 2019, and September 28, 2019, where heavy rainfall overwhelmed local drainage.
Residents living in areas prone to rapid water level increases, particularly those in lower-lying areas or near small streams that can quickly overflow, should pay close attention to flood risk. Homeowners in these locations, as well as those without a designated Base Flood Elevation (BFE) on their property, are advised to be particularly aware of potential flood impacts.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
78 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wayne County, Iowa has recorded 88 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 27 flash floods and 61 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 20, 2015 |
| 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 And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 17, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2015 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2015 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2015 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2014 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2014 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2013 | 50.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 28, 2019
After a moderate to heavy rainfall event providing 2 to 3 inches just prior to this, the pump was primed so to speak for flooding potential. A generally stationary front resided south of the area into Missouri, but upper level and mid level flow strongly suggested storms would track north of the surface boundary and across portions of southern and central Iowa. The initial wave of rain was init...
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 29, 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 — Jul 27, 2015
Another morning and early afternoon MCS rolled through Iowa, producing heavy rainfall, a couple of wind damage reports, and a handfull of flash flood reports. Flash flooding reports were restricted to southern Iowa, while the heavy rain ranged from as far north and west as Webster County and down to Appanoose. Heavy rainfall totals were generally around 2 inches, but included a 4 inch report ...
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2015
A slowly northward moving boundary/warm front was draped across the area throughout the day. By the evening vigorous storms fired up just north of the boundary and continued as the low level jet began to pick up. Numerous reports of large hail and damaging winds were reported. Fairly quickly after sunset, storms transitioned away from multi-cellular severe to training heavy rain producers ove...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Wayne 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 Wayne 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.