Enter any address in Barton County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is a significant concern in Barton County. Between 2019 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 62 flood and flash flood events. For instance, in August 2019, severe thunderstorms produced torrential rains causing flooding and flash flooding, particularly in Southwest Barton County near Claflin, where tributaries overflowed and required sandbagging. Earlier that year, in May 2019, a prolonged period of severe thunderstorms led to widespread flash floods across the region.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone X, which includes Zone X_UNSHADED, have experienced the deepest water depths on average, with one claim reporting 75 feet of water. While Zone A properties have also seen flooding, the majority of claims are in Zone UNKNOWN. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, especially those near tributaries or in lower-lying areas, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
16 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Barton County, Kansas has recorded 62 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 27 flash floods and 35 river or area floods. The county has received 28 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 17, 2025 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, And Wildfires | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 2025 |
| Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 14, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Straight-line Winds | Snowstorm | Mar 17, 2022 |
| Severe Storms And Straight Line Winds | Severe Storm | Dec 15, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 4, 2018 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2023 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2023 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Sep 17, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 14, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 31, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 18, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flood — Sep 17, 2021
Heavy rains caused nuisance flooding on the 17th in Barton county.
Flood — Jul 14, 2020
Isolated severe storms moved across portions of central Kansas on July 14th, 2020, producing winds of 60-65 mph. Heavy rains around 2 inches also plagued the area causing some minor flooding.
Flood — Jul 31, 2019
In the evening on the 31st, parts of Barton County, more specifically in and around Great Bend, were lashed by 60-70 MPH winds. The winds hit the Great Bend vicinity between 8 and 9 PM CDT/7 and 8 PM CST, where & when large tree branches and power poles were blown down. The thunderstorms also produced torrential rains with a few areas receiving nearly 3 inches in only 45 minutes. No doubt, floo...
Flood — Aug 25, 2019
Late in evening on the 24th, severe thunderstorms broke out across Central Kansas. The severe thunderstorms produced a trifecta of hail as large as golf balls, winds that reached around 70 mph, and torrential rains that caused flooding and flash flooding. The most significant flooding and flash flooding occurred in Southwest Barton County where several tributaries overflowed requiring sandbaggi...
Flash Flood — Aug 25, 2019
Late in evening on the 24th, severe thunderstorms broke out across Central Kansas. The severe thunderstorms produced a trifecta of hail as large as golf balls, winds that reached around 70 mph, and torrential rains that caused flooding and flash flooding. The most significant flooding and flash flooding occurred in Southwest Barton County where several tributaries overflowed requiring sandbaggi...
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 Barton County, Kansas:
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 Barton County, Kansas 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.