Enter any address in Winnebago County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Winnebago County, IA. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 25 flood events and 12 flash flood events in the county. For example, heavy rainfall caused flash flooding on June 24, 2018, and again on July 13, 2013, with storms producing three to six inches of rain in short periods.
While most flood insurance claims in Winnebago County have been in zones with unknown flood risk, one claim in an Unshaded Zone X resulted in an average payout of $0 with no reported water depth. Homeowners in areas prone to rapid rainfall accumulation, particularly those near drainage paths or in low-lying areas, should remain aware of flood risks.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
33 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Winnebago County, Iowa has recorded 37 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 25 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 (1965–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 16, 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 6, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 14, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2008 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 28, 2007 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2013 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2013 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jul 13, 2013 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2013 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2008 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2007 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2007 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2007 | 30.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 24, 2018
A weak, occluded surface low pressure system was situated northwest of the area with its associated boundaries draped across western and southern Iowa. The environment south of the warm front/pseudo-stationary front was ripe with MUCAPE in excess of 300 J/kg, but devoid of many other supporting variables. Effective shear was borderline at best around 30 kts and DCAPE and hail CAPE were general...
Flash Flood — Jun 21, 2013
A very unstable airmass was in place over Iowa during the predawn hours of the 21st. The elevated CAPE was in the 2000 to 3000 J/kg range. Downdraft CAPE was quite high at 1400 J/kg. There was 500 to 600 J/kg of CAPE available in the -10 to -30 C layer of the atmosphere. Moisture was transported into the area with a 30 kt jet and precipitable water values increased to about 1.75 inches. Th...
Flash Flood — May 17, 2013
A stationary front that had been over southern Iowa began to lift north as a warm front on the morning of the 17th. The atmosphere had become more unstable during the morning with CAPE increasing to 1000 to 2000 J/kg. Precipitable water values increased to about 1.4 inches by late morning. The atmosphere exhibited very little shear. Thunderstorms developed during the morning and tracked slo...
Flood — Jul 13, 2013
A large convective complex developed to the northwest of Iowa during the night of the 12th into the morning of the 13th. Precipitable water values were very high, in excess of 2.1 inches over Minnesota. Thunderstorms began to turn south into Iowa in the morning and continue to feed into the inflow of moisture. In spite of the precipitable water values being much lower over Iowa, moisture con...
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2013
A large convective complex developed to the northwest of Iowa during the night of the 12th into the morning of the 13th. Precipitable water values were very high, in excess of 2.1 inches over Minnesota. Thunderstorms began to turn south into Iowa in the morning and continue to feed into the inflow of moisture. In spite of the precipitable water values being much lower over Iowa, moisture con...
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 Winnebago 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 Winnebago 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.