Enter any address in Osage County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates flood occurrences in Osage County. Between 2020 and 2024, NOAA data recorded 44 flash flood events and 22 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in October 2023 due to rainfall training over the area, and in March 2022, where heavy rains accompanied severe thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $14,755 and an average water depth of 6.6 feet. Properties in Zone X_Unshaded have had fewer claims, with an average payout of $1,272 and an average water depth of 2.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk or without a confirmed Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Osage County, Kansas has recorded 66 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 44 flash floods and 22 river or area floods. The county has received 24 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 (1967–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 3, 2025 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 8, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Feb 20, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 7, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 29, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 27, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 26, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 23, 2015 | 0.00K |
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.
Flash Flood — Oct 25, 2023
Rainfall trained over portions of Lyon and Osage Counties for several hours early on 10/25, causing flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Mar 29, 2022
A line of severe thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon and moved across northeast Kansas producing sporadic wind gusts very heavy rains and one tornado. The tornado was rated EF1 with an intermittent path of around 9 miles. Very heavy rains also produced local flash flooding due to storm training over the same areas.
Flash Flood — Apr 30, 2019
Several rounds of heavy rainfall through the month led to widespread flooding to end April.
Flash Flood — May 24, 2019
Widespread thunderstorms developed across the area, especially along and southeast of the Kansas Turnpike. In addition to large hail and damaging winds, widespread flash flooding occurred in 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 Osage 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 Osage 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.