Share of the whole county outline, rivers and lakes included; parts FEMA hasn’t mapped count as zero.
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Decatur County, Kansas. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Flash flooding from severe summer thunderstorms dominates the flood profile of Decatur County, Kansas, accounting for the majority of recorded flood events over the last 30 years compared to general river floods.
Severe weather events recorded in the county demonstrate the specific conditions that cause local flooding. Torrential rainfall from storms crossing from Colorado led to localized flash flooding on June 30, 2023. Additionally, abundant snowmelt caused floodwaters to rise out of the banks along the North Fork of the Prairie Dog Creek, flooding local roads in Southwest Decatur County on March 13, 2019.
Property owners and residents situated near creeks, drainage ways, and local roads prone to rapid runoff should pay the closest attention to these recurring flash flood and snowmelt risks.
Summary written from NOAA storm reports and NFIP claims for this county. Not a prediction.
4 NOAA storm reports from Decatur County describe what happened, in the words of the forecasters who covered it. Read the Kansas flood stories →
11 federal disaster declarations since 2004.
| Disaster | Began |
|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Apr 28, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Jun 7, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Dec 22, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes | May 22, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Dec 6, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Dec 28, 2006 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Sep 1, 2005 |
Weather and water disasters only; most recent first. Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations.
17 since 1996: 12 flash floods and 5 river or area floods.
| Event | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 30, 2023 | — |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2019 | — |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2019 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2018 | — |
| Flood | Sep 4, 2016 | — |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2016 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2010 | — |
— = no damage estimate in the record. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database.
Flood · Jun 30, 2023. In the early afternoon of the 30th, storms from Colorado crossed into Kansas along I-70. These storms caused widespread wind damage and up to 2 inch in diameter hail. The highest measured wind gust was 79.4 mph at Hill City and then the station promptly stopped reporting winds. One injury did occur when a vehicle was blown off of the road. Torrential rainfall also lead to localized flash flooding.
Flash Flood · May 26, 2019. Thunderstorms in northwest Kansas produced a tornado in Thomas County in addition to several reports of hail, strong winds, and flash flooding from heavy rains.
Flood · Mar 13, 2019. Due abundant snow melt, flood waters rose out of the banks in the North Fork of the Prairie Dog Creek in Northeast Thomas County and Southwest Decatur County, flooding local roads.
Flash Flood · Aug 13, 2019. Thunderstorms produce hail up to lime size, damaging winds, and flash flooding in northwest Kansas.
National Weather Service narratives, lightly trimmed. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database.
Every colour on the map above is a place on this drawing: where the ground sits relative to the flood FEMA plans for.
If a building in Decatur County is in a high-risk zone (A or V) and its mortgage comes from a federally regulated or insured lender, or is federally backed, flood insurance is required.
Outside those zones it is optional, and often worth having: from 2014 to 2024 nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Since Risk Rating 2.0, NFIP premiums are set for each building, so the only reliable price is a quote: FloodSmart.gov or a local agent.