Enter any address in Thomas County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Thomas County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 25 flash flood events and 11 general flood events. For example, in May 2023, heavy rain from slow-moving storms produced flash flooding over portions of the county, with one event reporting up to five inches of rain. In May 2024, prolonged heavy rain in the Colby area also led to minor urban flooding.
While the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has recorded few claims in Thomas County, one claim in a Zone X_Unshaded area reported an average water depth of 6.0 feet. Homeowners in areas identified as Zone A, and those in Zone X_Unshaded, should pay particular attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Thomas County, Kansas has recorded 36 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 12 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 (1993–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 26, 2024 |
| 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 Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 22, 2008 |
| 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 | Aug 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 31, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | May 10, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flood — Aug 27, 2025
In the evening of the 27th, scattered storms formed across northwestern Kansas. These storms were generally slow moving, high precipitation storms with a couple stronger embedded storms that produced one inch hail and 60 MPH winds.
Flood — May 31, 2024
In the late afternoon of the 30th, storms began to fire across eastern Colorado and moved northeast through northwestern Kansas. Later in the night, another round of storms moved east through the area. These rounds of storm produced heavy, prolonged rain in the Colby area, causing minor urban flooding to occur. Between the two rounds of storms, a wake low produced a single gust of 61 MPH.
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2023
In the early afternoon of the 30th, storms from Colorado crossed into Kansas along I-70. These storms caused widespread wind damage and up to 2 inch in diameter hail. The highest measured wind gust was 79.4 mph at Hill City and then the station promptly stopped reporting winds. One injury did occur when a vehicle was blown off of the road. Torrential rainfall also lead to localized flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 25, 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 10, 2023
During the afternoon hours, scattered storms developed over Northwest Kansas as a warm front moved north. These storms produced hail ranging from pea to golf ball in size and a brief tornado near the town of Selden. The largest hail fell near the towns of Selden, Levant, and Edson. Heavy rain with amounts up to five inches produced flash flooding over portions of Thomas and Sheridan counties. ...
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 Thomas 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 Thomas 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.