Enter any address in Rush County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Rush County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 18 flash flood events and 8 flood events. Recent occurrences include flash flooding and flooding along the Highway 96 corridor in May 2021, and flooding associated with a trough moving across the area in May 2019.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced flooding, with an average payout of $2,674 for claims with an average water depth of 0.2 feet. Homeowners and real estate agents should pay particular attention to properties located in or near designated flood zones, especially those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Rush County, Kansas has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, And Wildfires | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 2025 |
| Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 13, 2017 |
| Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Feb 20, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 14, 2012 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 4, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 14, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 19, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 16, 2021
Another shortwave moved across northern portions of the CWA with flooding more of an issue for areas along the Hwy 96 corridor. Storms had little motion over already saturated ground produced some flooding and a few storms produced hail and damaging wind.
Flash Flood — May 16, 2021
Another shortwave moved across northern portions of the CWA with flooding more of an issue for areas along the Hwy 96 corridor. Storms had little motion over already saturated ground produced some flooding and a few storms produced hail and damaging wind.
Flood — May 25, 2019
A s/wv trough initiated thunderstorms across the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles and this activity spread northeast across the area.
Flash Flood — May 24, 2019
A stalled and stationary front was the focus for thunderstorm developed during the late afternoon and evening.
Flash Flood — May 23, 2019
A stalled and stationary front was the focus for thunderstorm developed during the late afternoon and evening.
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 Rush 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 Rush 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.