Enter any address in Rooks County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Rooks County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 20 flash flood events and 3 general flood events. For example, heavy rainfall on May 16, 2021, caused serious flash flooding along Paradise Creek, impacting areas near Natoma. Another significant event occurred on June 5, 2022, with two rounds of strong thunderstorms producing flash flooding across southern Phillips and much of Rooks County.
Residents in Rooks County should be aware of flood risks, particularly those in areas susceptible to rapid water level rises from intense rainfall. Homeowners and real estate agents should pay close attention to properties located in flood zones, especially those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) designation, as these areas may face higher risks during flood events.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
18 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Rooks County, Kansas has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1993–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, And Wildfires | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 2025 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Straight-line Winds | Snowstorm | Mar 17, 2022 |
| Severe Storms And Straight Line Winds | Severe Storm | Dec 15, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Rooks County Fire | Fire | Mar 4, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 2, 2016 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2022 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 2, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2019 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2016 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2016 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2015 | 35.00K |
| Flood | Aug 27, 2014 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Jun 2, 2011 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2010 | 15.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 5, 2022
This Sunday afternoon-evening featured two rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms within western portions of the North Central Kansas area, both of which primarily impacted a swath running through southern Phillips, much of Rooks and far western Osborne counties. The first round, which played out between 2-7 p.m. CDT, was by far the most significant as an initially slow-moving supercell that ...
Flash Flood — May 16, 2021
Persistent thunderstorms with heavy rain rates led to heavy rainfall and serious flooding in Osborne County during the early morning hours of May 16th. Highest rainfall totals included 8.16 from 1 WNW Codell, mainly between 1-4 AM CDT, 4.19 from 1 S Plainville, 4.11 from 13 SW of Tipton. The axis of heaviest rainfall occurred at the head of and alongside the Paradise Creek, which ultimately led...
Flood — May 2, 2021
Isolated large hail and damaging wind occurred during the evening hours of May 2nd over portions of north central Kansas. A isolated intense thunderstorm developed along the Phillips/Rooks County line around 5PM CDT. This cell remained nearly stationary as it intensified over the next hour and eventually produced large hail around 1 inch in diameter. This storm remained strong to severe over ne...
Flash Flood — Aug 24, 2019
Given that several official NWS cooperative observer stations within this six-county North Central Kansas area realized their wettest month of August on record (including Plainville 4WNW, Natoma and Beloit), it should come as no surprise that there were at least a few rounds of flooding rains. For some areas mainly south of the Highway 36 corridor, the roughly 48-hour period from the morning of...
Flash Flood — May 24, 2016
A couple storms produced hail as large as golf balls, and flash flooding also occurred on this Monday. During the late afternoon and evening hours, a couple small, isolated thunderstorms developed over northern Phillips and Smith Counties. They quickly crossed the state line into Nebraska, where thunderstorms were more widespread. One such storm formed over northeastern Phillips County around 6...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Rooks 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 Rooks 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.