Enter any address in Butler County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Butler County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 86 flash flood events and 54 flood events. Recent examples include significant flooding observed across the county on June 3, 2025, and flash flooding caused by heavy rainfall on June 1, 2022.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced a high volume of claims, with an average payout of $21,757 and an average water depth of 3.3 feet. While Zone X_UNSHADED has fewer claims, the average payout is significantly higher at $135,450, with an average water depth of 19.9 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
42 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Butler County, Kansas has recorded 140 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 86 flash floods and 54 river or area floods. The county has received 28 federal disaster declarations, 4 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, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 3, 2025 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 8, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Tornadoes And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 9, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 22, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 7, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2025 | 2.00M |
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 5, 2022 | 0.10K |
| Flood | May 4, 2022 | 0.10K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2020 | 0.10K |
| Flood | May 13, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 14, 2025
A complex of severe thunderstorms developed during the very early morning hours of June 14th across northwest Kansas and raced across the state. These storms impacted portions of central and south-central Kansas with several reported of damaging winds.
Flash Flood — Jun 3, 2025
Thunderstorms developed across south-central Kansas during the morning hours of June 3rd and slowly moved to the northeast. Additional rounds of thunderstorms developed and trained across portions of south-central and southeast Kansas. Numerous reports of flash-flooding were observed across the area with significant flooding across Sedgwick and Butler counties.
Flash Flood — May 31, 2022
An extremely unstable airmass was in place across southern Kansas on May 31st as storms erupted along a stationary front from western Oklahoma into southern Kansas. Storms quickly became severe producing very large hail along with a couple brief tornadoes. In addition, they also produced very heavy rain that caused flash flooding along with subsequent river flooding.
Flood — May 5, 2022
Rich gulf moisture streamed north of a slow moving low pressure for the afternoon and overnight hours of May 4th into the early morning of May 5th, 2022. Heavy rainfall impacted a large portions of southern Kansas, with some flooding reported. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 5 inches were common.
Flood — May 4, 2022
Rich gulf moisture streamed north of a slow moving low pressure for the afternoon and overnight hours of May 4th into the early morning of May 5th, 2022. Heavy rainfall impacted a large portions of southern Kansas, with some flooding reported. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 5 inches were common.
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 Butler 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 Butler 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.