Enter any address in Morris County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Morris County, Kansas. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 32 recorded flash flood events, resulting in one fatality, alongside 13 additional flood events. Recent occurrences include multiple rounds of active weather producing flash flooding in May 2021, and a significant flash flood event on May 17, 2022, which accompanied damaging winds and hail.
Homeowners and real estate agents should pay particular attention to flood risk, especially those with properties located in areas identified by FEMA as having higher flood risk. Residents in flood-prone zones, or those without a designated Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should investigate their specific flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Morris County, Kansas has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 32 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 26 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 (1969–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 17, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 3, 2025 |
| Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 25, 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 19, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 23, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 21, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2010 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 17, 2022
Two large clusters of storms formed into a large QLCS and produced hail, damaging wind to as high as 85 mph, and flash flooding during the evening of 5/17.
Flash Flood — May 27, 2021
Multiple rounds of active weather creating flooding, wind damage and large hail overnight into 5/27, early in the day and again during the afternoon of 5/27.
Flash Flood — May 26, 2021
Multiple rounds of active weather creating flooding, wind damage and large hail overnight into 5/27, early in the day and again during the afternoon of 5/27.
Flash Flood — May 14, 2020
A cluster of severe t-storms some supercells developed across parts of northeast Kansas on the evening of May 14th. At least 4 small short lived tornadoes were documented by storm chasers. No damage was reported with any of the tornadoes so all will be classified as EFU although photos suggest they were small and short-lived.
Flash Flood — May 19, 2017
A supercell t-storm that developed west of Wichita tracked northeast during the early evening of May 19th and produced 2 brief tornadoes in open country. No damage was reported with the tornadoes as they both occurred in the desolate country of the Flint Hills in Morris and far northwest Lyon county.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Morris 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 Morris 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.