Enter any address in Ellsworth County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall is the dominant flood character in Ellsworth County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 19 flash flood events and 14 flood events. For example, in September 2025, several hours of heavy rainfall led to reports of flooding in Ellsworth County. More recently, in May 2024, a storm system tracked east along I-70, producing tornadoes and heavy precipitation that impacted northern Ellsworth County.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced flooding, with an average of 0.6 feet of water depth and an average payout of $9,954 per claim. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near waterways, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ellsworth County, Kansas has recorded 33 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Ellsworth-lincoln-russell Fire Complex | Fire | Mar 4, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 13, 2017 |
| 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, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 14, 2012 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 8, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2022 | 0.10K |
| Flood | May 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 16, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 9, 2018 | 0.10K |
| Flood | Oct 8, 2018 | 0.10K |
Flash Flood — Sep 8, 2025
Several hours of heavy rainfall impacted central Kansas with upwards of 12 inches reported in Lincon County. Several reports of flooding were relayed from Lincoln, Ellsworth, and Saline counties.
Flood — May 19, 2024
Around 2:30pm on Sunday May 19th, a high precipitation supercell developed near Hays along a warm front. This storm tracked east along I-70 producing a few brief tornadoes across Russell and northern Ellsworth county. As it progressed east, the wind and hail threat ramp-up as it moved into Saline County. The Salina Airport measured a 100 mph wind gust! There was also numerous reports of golf...
Flash Flood — Jun 5, 2022
A complex of storms initially developed across central Kansas during the evening hours or June 5th, 2022. The storms initially produced damaging winds, flash flooding and large hail across central Kansas, before propagating to the south, producing damaging winds and flooding across south central Kansas during the late evening hours.
Flood — May 16, 2021
Storms initially producing very heavy rains across central Kansas produced flooding for several locations. The next round of storms didn't produce quite as much rain, however, did spawn severe winds and hail.
Flash Flood — May 25, 2020
Severe thunderstorms moved across central Kansas during the evening of May 24th. These storms produced quarter to half dollar sized hail and damaging winds. Heavy rainfall associated with these storms resulted in flash flooding in Ellsworth, Russell and Saline counties. Some of the higher reports ranged from 3 inches to 6.59 inches.
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 Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth 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.