Enter any address in Norton County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Norton County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded nine flash flood events and six flood events. Recent examples include torrential rainfall causing water to enter a basement and a downtown business in August 2023, and a flash flood event in May 2023 that required a water rescue.
Residents with properties located in areas prone to rapid water accumulation, particularly those in lower-lying areas or near drainage paths, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
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.
Norton County, Kansas has recorded 15 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 9 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (2005–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, And Wildfires | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 2025 |
| 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 Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Snowstorm | Apr 28, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 2, 2016 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 22, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 4, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2016 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | May 24, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 8, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 22, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2010 | 0.00K |
Flood — Apr 25, 2024
In the early afternoon of the 25th, multiple storms formed in northwestern Kansas and moved north-northeast. There were multiple clusters, or waves, of storms throughout the afternoon to overnight hours. These storms produced 3 inch diameter hail, 70 MPH thunderstorm wind gusts, and a tornado.
Flash Flood — May 28, 2023
During the evening of May 28th, severe thunderstorms developed within Northwestern Kansas. These thunderstorms produced hail up to golf balls in size as well as torrential rainfall that resulted in flash flooding. Local law enforcement had to perform one water rescue due to the flood conditions.
Flash Flood — Aug 25, 2023
A cluster of thunderstorms moved east across Northwest Kansas. Hail up to golf ball size and wind gusts up to 70 MPH were reported with these storms. In Norton the torrential rainfall from the storm activity caused water to flow into a residence's basement and a business in downtown.
Flood — Jul 22, 2023
In the afternoon of the 22nd, multiple supercells formed across eastern Colorado, southwestern Nebraska, and northwestern Kansas. These storms produced a wind gust over 70 mph and larger than 2 inch hail.
Flood — Sep 4, 2016
During the late afternoon and through most of the night strong to severe thunderstorms developed and trained along a surface boundary. The storms slowly moved east across parts of Northwest Kansas. The largest hail reported was quarter size in far northern Cheyenne County. The highest wind gust reported was 59 MPH at Goodland. The main impact from these storms was flash flooding over Cheyen...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Norton 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 Norton 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.