Enter any address in Smith County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Smith County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 10 flash flood events and 6 general flood events. For example, in May 2025, heavy thunderstorms produced nearly 6 inches of rain in parts of Smith County, leading to flooded county roads and impacts on U.S. Highway 281. Earlier, in August 2015, widespread thunderstorm activity brought 1 to 4 inches of rain, with localized areas receiving 6 to 8 inches, causing short-term flooding of rural roads and fields, and minor flooding along the South Fork Solomon River.
Residents in Smith County should pay close attention to flood risk, particularly those in areas with higher flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Smith County, Kansas has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 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 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 22, 2008 |
| 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 | May 18, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Aug 5, 2015 | 15.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2011 | 15.00K |
| Flood | May 19, 2011 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Jun 2, 2011 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2010 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2010 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2008 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2008 | 50.00K |
Flash Flood — May 18, 2025
Intense late afternoon and early thunderstorms produced large hail and localized flash flooding across a part of north central Kansas. Beloit was hit the hardest as hail reached 2��� in diameter. However, flash flooding thanks to nearly 6��� of rain was the problem in parts of Jewell and Smith counties. Smith County Emergency Management verified county roads flooded north of Lebanon...
Flood — Aug 5, 2015
During an 18-hour stretch between noon CDT on Tuesday the 4th and 6 a.m. on Wednesday the 5th, two fairly distinct rounds of widespread thunderstorm activity soaked much (but not all) of this six county North Central Kansas area with 1-4 inches of rain, and localized pockets as high as 6-8. Not surprisingly, short term flooding of rural roads and fields ensued within the zones of highest rainfa...
Flood — May 24, 2011
The time frame between the early morning hours of Tuesday the 24th into the day on Wednesday the 25th brought widespread heavy rainfall and flooding to much of North Central Kansas, in what turned out to be the second of three significant heavy rainfall events within a 2-week span. This event unfolded in two distinct waves, with the heaviest accumulations focused from the evening of the 24th in...
Flood — May 19, 2011
Following a short stretch of dry days centered around mid-month, an abrupt transition to a very wet and stormy 24-hour period commenced in North Central Kansas during the early morning hours of Thursday the 19th, followed by a separate, more significant event focused from the evening of the 19th into the early morning hours of the 20th. Although heavy rainfall and flooding was the main story, a...
Flood — Jun 2, 2011
Less than 48 hours after a line of damaging winds marched across North Central Kansas, a significant episode of severe weather targeted the six-county area on this Wednesday afternoon and early Thursday morning in the vicinity of a surface warm front. There were numerous reports of hail to golf ball size or larger across the area, and a few instances of damaging winds up to around 75 MPH. A bri...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Smith 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 Smith 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.