Enter any address in Rawlins County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Rawlins County. Between 1993 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 22 flash flood events and 8 flood events in the county. Recent events include flash flooding and flooding on May 12, 2023, and May 26, 2023, following heavy rainfall.
These events highlight the potential for rapid inundation due to intense rainfall. Residents with properties located in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or in lower-lying areas, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Rawlins County, Kansas has recorded 30 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 10 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 Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 17, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 14, 2023 |
| 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 Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 6, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 28, 2006 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 26, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2023 | 20.00K |
| Flood | May 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 23, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2018 | 2.50K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 26, 2023
In the late morning of the 25th, a line of storms from eastern Kansas restrengthened as they slowly moved northwest. These storms dumped upwards of 6 inches of rain near Hoxie and caused flooding in various locations in northwest Kansas. As the day progressed, more storms began firing to the west from the outflow of this initial system. In the afternoon of the 25th, these new slow moving, high ...
Flash Flood — May 26, 2023
In the late morning of the 25th, a line of storms from eastern Kansas restrengthened as they slowly moved northwest. These storms dumped upwards of 6 inches of rain near Hoxie and caused flooding in various locations in northwest Kansas. As the day progressed, more storms began firing to the west from the outflow of this initial system. In the afternoon of the 25th, these new slow moving, high ...
Flood — May 12, 2023
A high impact storm system moved across Northwest Kansas. The storm system produced an environment that was favorable for any of the developing thunderstorms to produce a tornado, which led to multiple tornadoes occurring on this day. The strongest tornado was rated an EF-1 which caused damage to the high school in Weskan. ||Otherwise thunderstorms produced hail up to half dollar in size near...
Flash Flood — May 12, 2023
A high impact storm system moved across Northwest Kansas. The storm system produced an environment that was favorable for any of the developing thunderstorms to produce a tornado, which led to multiple tornadoes occurring on this day. The strongest tornado was rated an EF-1 which caused damage to the high school in Weskan. ||Otherwise thunderstorms produced hail up to half dollar in size near...
Flash Flood — Aug 24, 2019
Thunderstorms produce flash flooding and hail up to golf ball size in northwest Kansas.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Rawlins 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 Rawlins 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.