Enter any address in Pottawatomie County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from scattered thunderstorms dominates flood events in Pottawatomie County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 28 flash flood events compared to 8 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding reported on April 28, 2025, following storms that produced up to 5 inches of rainfall, and a flash flood event on July 29, 2020, that impacted several counties after widespread thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $6,793 and an average water depth of 3.7 feet. Claims in Zone A also show significant payouts, averaging $6,685. Homeowners in Zone X, Zone A, and areas with unknown flood zone designations should pay particular 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.
Pottawatomie County, Kansas has recorded 36 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 28 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 (1967–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 25, 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 28, 2025 | 0.25K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 17, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 4, 2010 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 28, 2025
In the late afternoon to evening hours, scattered storms developed and trained across portions of northeast Kansas, leading to isolated reports of Flash Flooding with up to 5 inches of rainfall reported. These storms also produced hail to baseball size, wind gusts to 70 mph, and a brief tornado in Pottawatomie county.
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2020
Several counties experienced flash flooding following widespread thunderstorms during the afternoon of 7/29.
Flash Flood — Sep 3, 2018
Several rounds of thunderstorms along a stationary frontal boundary resulted in significant flash-flooding in portions of Riley, Marshall, and Pottawatomie Counties. Numerous damaging wind reports were noted as well.
Flash Flood — Jun 5, 2015
Several MCSs affected northeast Kansas during this 2-day event. Each round of storms brought hail, gusty winds, and flooding rains. Each of the MCSs formed near the NE/KS state line and moved southeastward across the area. The environment was able to recover after each round, and the convection remained partially surface based through out the event.
Flash Flood — Apr 17, 2013
A few storms fired up across northeast Kansas, bringing penny to quarter sized hail. The largest stone was reported near Fort Riley Airfield in Geary County. Also, a creek overflowed near Onaga in Pottawatomie County.
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 Pottawatomie 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 Pottawatomie 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.