Enter any address in Lyon County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lyon County. Between 2020 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 61 flash flood events and 27 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in the Emporia area on August 13, 2024, following 4 to 6 inches of rainfall, and road closures due to 2 to 4 inches of rain on June 9, 2024.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A experienced an average water depth of 7.9 feet with an average payout of $13,306. While Zone X_UNSHADED had fewer claims, the average payout was higher at $26,861 with an average water depth of 6.2 feet. Homeowners in or near flood-prone areas, particularly those in Zone A or areas with a history of flash flooding, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lyon County, Kansas has recorded 88 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 61 flash floods and 27 river or area floods. The county has received 27 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 |
| 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, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2011 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 3, 2025
On 6/3, slow moving front resulted in several rounds of thunderstorms across northeast Kansas. This resulted in rainfall amounts of 2 to 6 inches and a few instances of water rescues and street flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 13, 2024
Multiple, slow moving storms trained across portions of east central Kansas during the morning hours, resulting in the highest rainfall amounts from 4 to 6 inches. This caused flash flooding in the Emporia area.
Flood — Jun 9, 2024
A line of training storms over east central Kansas during the early morning hours on the 9th resulted in 2 to 4 inches of rainfall. Several road closures were reported in Lyon and Anderson counties.
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2024
A line of training storms over east central Kansas during the early morning hours on the 9th resulted in 2 to 4 inches of rainfall. Several road closures were reported in Lyon and Anderson counties.
Flood — Jul 1, 2024
Widespread rainfall of two to five inches, with localized amounts of up to ten inches, produced multiple instances of flash flooding across east-central Kansas.
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 Lyon 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 Lyon 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.