Enter any address in Geary County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Geary County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 32 flash flood events and 6 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in late May 2020, when a slow-moving storm complex caused flooding across multiple counties, and flash flooding in late June 2024, associated with a severe thunderstorm that also produced high winds and tornadoes.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths, with an average payout of $14,605 and 0.1 feet of water depth. Zone X and Zone X_Shaded properties have also seen claims, with significantly lower average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in 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.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Geary County, Kansas has recorded 38 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 32 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 26, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 8, 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 |
| 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, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 22, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 6, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 26, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 27, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 9, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 28, 2024
A supercell moved across parts of Lyon and Osage Counties on the evening of June 28. This storm produced three brief tornadoes, as well as flash flooding and a larger area of scattered 70-85 mph straight-line winds.
Flash Flood — May 16, 2021
Multiple rounds of rain produced flooding in parts of eastern Kansas on 5/16.
Flash Flood — May 24, 2020
A very slow moving complex of storms developed in parts of central KS and produced flooding and flash flooding in Ottawa, Geary and Dickinson Counties during the late evening and overnight hours of 5/24 into 5/25.
Flash Flood — Apr 26, 2016
Severe thunderstorms developed between 3 and 4pm on April 26th along an old outflow boundary and moved north northeast across northeast Kansas. The storms produced at least 2 brief weak tornadoes before 6pm however the storms thereafter become more widespread and continued to move across the same areas producing torrential flooding rains. Some areas received between 5 and 6 inches of rainfall...
Flash Flood — Apr 27, 2014
On the morning of the 27th a round of elevated thunderstorms pushed through the area. Some of the storms produced wind damage but it was rather isolated.
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 Geary 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 Geary 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.