Enter any address in Washington County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates the flood character of Washington County, KS. Between 2013 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 13 flash flood events and 5 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on May 7, 2015, when storms trained over the same areas, and on May 27, 2016, when saturated soils contributed to flash flooding across north-central Kansas.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows one claim filed in Zone A, with an average water depth of 1.0 foot and no payout. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, particularly those with homes not built to Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
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.
Washington County, Kansas has recorded 18 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 (1967–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Haddam Fire | Fire | Apr 13, 2023 |
| 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 Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 22, 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 Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 29, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 9, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 7, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 4, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2007 | 20.00K |
| Flood | May 7, 2007 | 600.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2006 | 5K |
Flood — Aug 29, 2016
Numerous rounds of thunderstorms produced flooding across the area.
Flash Flood — May 27, 2016
Saturated soils from the previous days' rainfall led to flash-flooding across north-central Kansas as a complex of thunderstorms moved through during the afternoon and evening.
Flood — May 9, 2016
Scattered severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon across central Kansas. One weak tornado was reported in Clay County. These storms then pushed eastward before weakening and merging into a line of thunderstorms.
Flash Flood — Jun 23, 2015
During the day of the 23rd storms produced hail in isolated locations. These storms trained over the same areas which caused flooding.
Flash Flood — May 7, 2015
On the afternoon of May 7th storms developed along a stationary boundary. These storms trained over the same areas in Washington county causing flash flooding. A few storms were capable of producing severe hail.
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 Washington 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 Washington 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.