Enter any address in Decatur County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Decatur County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 12 flash flood events and 5 flood events. Recent examples include localized flash flooding on June 30, 2023, following severe thunderstorms, and on May 26, 2019, which also produced hail and strong winds. Additionally, snowmelt contributed to flooding on March 13, 2019, causing local roads to flood along the North Fork of the Prairie Dog Creek.
Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near creeks and low-lying areas, should pay close attention to flood risk. Homeowners in these locations, or those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) designation, are most likely to be impacted by flood events.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Decatur County, Kansas has recorded 17 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 11 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (2004–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Snowstorm | Apr 28, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 7, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 22, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 6, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 28, 2006 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 30, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 4, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2009 | 0.00K |
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.
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2018
The thunderstorm activity from Colorado moved into Northwest Kansas during the mid evening, with a second round moving in from the north in the late evening. The strongest wind reported with these storms was 61 MPH at Oakely, as a second round of storms moved through. The largest hail reported was golf ball size near Gove from the second round of storms.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Decatur 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 Decatur 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.