Enter any address in Webster County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is a significant concern in Webster County, IA. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 102 flood events and 56 flash flood events, resulting in one reported death. Recent events include heavy rainfall causing flash flooding in May 2024 and renewed flash flooding in June 2024, which also contributed to river flooding.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced an average water depth of 5.8 feet, with payouts averaging $31,307. While Zone X properties have seen higher average payouts of $50,424, their average water depth was 1.2 feet. Properties in Zone X_Unshaded had minimal reported water depth.
Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near streams and rivers, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
129 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Webster County, Iowa has recorded 158 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 56 flash floods and 102 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 17, 2007 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 28, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 30, 2019 | 50.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2019 | 50.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2019 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Mar 16, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2025
An omega block pattern set up in mid September and on the 16th Iowa was just west of the ridge axis. This resulted in a hot and humid period and MLCAPE was around 2000-3000 J/kg. The 0-6 km shear was weak under the ridge at under 20 kts. In the deeply unstable environment, pulse thunderstorms were able to develop quickly but the lack of shear prevented better organization and the storms would e...
Flood — Jun 24, 2024
Heavy rain fell over portions of northern Iowa, especially northwestern Iowa and bordering states later on June 20 through early on June 21. This rainfall caused flash flooding in portions of northwest Iowa and also aided in saturating the soil. As another round of heavy rain fell later on June 21 into the night and morning of June 22, this rainfall led to renewed flash flooding. This rainfall ...
Flood — May 23, 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, ...
Flood — Jun 22, 2024
Heavy rain fell over portions of northern Iowa, especially northwestern Iowa and bordering states later on June 20 through early on June 21. This rainfall caused flash flooding in portions of northwest Iowa and also aided in saturating the soil. As another round of heavy rain fell later on June 21 into the night and morning of June 22, this rainfall led to renewed flash flooding. This rainfall ...
Flood — Jul 1, 2024
Significant, and at times record, river flooding in northwest Iowa continued from June into July. Flooding resulted in massive sandbagging efforts, prolonged road closures and damages, and impacts to home and businesses. Continued heavy rain in early July kept some locations in flood through the middle of the month.
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 Webster 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 Webster 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.