Enter any address in Shawnee County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Shawnee County. Between 2021 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 86 flash flood events and 29 flood events. For example, on June 3, 2025, slow-moving thunderstorms produced 2 to 6 inches of rain, leading to street flooding and water rescues. Earlier, on July 1, 2024, widespread rainfall of two to five inches, with localized amounts up to ten inches, caused multiple instances of flash flooding.
FEMA data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most National Flood Insurance Program claims, with 199 claims averaging $9,730 and an average water depth of 9.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X_SHADED also show significant claim activity. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X_SHADED, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Shawnee County, Kansas has recorded 115 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 86 flash floods and 29 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1966–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 8, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 6, 2007 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2007 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 1, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 4, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 12, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 27, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 3, 2025
On 6/3, slow moving front resulted in several rounds of thunderstorms across northeast Kansas. This resulted in rainfall amounts of 2 to 6 inches and a few instances of water rescues and street flooding.
Flood — Jul 4, 2024
Multiple rounds of scattered storms developed on the evening of July 2 and 3. Both of these events only produced isolated wind damage across central and east-central Kansas, with some flooding also occurring early morning on July 4.
Flood — Jul 1, 2024
Widespread rainfall of two to five inches, with localized amounts of up to ten inches, produced multiple instances of flash flooding across east-central Kansas.
Flash Flood — May 17, 2022
Two large clusters of storms formed into a large QLCS and produced hail, damaging wind to as high as 85 mph, and flash flooding during the evening of 5/17.
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2021
Scattered thunderstorms created severe weather across central and east-central during the afternoon and evening hours on 6/25.
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 Shawnee 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 Shawnee 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.