Enter any address in Ottawa County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Ottawa County, Kansas. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 28 flash flood events and 19 general flood events. For example, on September 8, 2025, heavy rainfall in southwest Ottawa County led to significant flooding in and around Tescott, with county officials estimating nearly $5 million in total damages, including $3.5 million within the city of Tescott.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the majority of claims, with an average payout of $4,768 and an average water depth of 0.7 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those located in or near Tescott, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ottawa County, Kansas has recorded 47 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 28 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 17 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 (1973–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 17, 2025 |
| Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 4, 2018 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Sep 8, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 8, 2025 | 1.20M |
| Flood | Sep 8, 2025 | 3.59M |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 2, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flood — Sep 8, 2025
A small area of heavy rain developed across central Kansas during the morning of September 8 and moved little into the early afternoon. Portions of southwest Ottawa County saw five to nine inches of rain, resulting in notable flooding in and around Tescott. County officials estimated almost 5 million dollars in damage total - 3.5 million dollars in the city of Tescott itself, 1.2 million dollar...
Flash Flood — May 16, 2021
Multiple rounds of rain produced flooding in parts of eastern Kansas on 5/16.
Flash Flood — Jun 27, 2020
Thunderstorms initially impacting north-central KS the night of 6/26 into 6/27 with hail, damaging wind and heavy rain that led to flooding. The complex eventually expanded in coverage, causing severe weather elsewhere across northeast KS by early 6/27.
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 — Jul 9, 2020
A bowing QLCS moved through the area on the night of 7/8 into 7/9, causing widespread wind damage.
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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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.