Enter any address in Wichita County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Wichita County, Kansas. The NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 13 flash flood events and 3 flood events in the county over the last 30 years. Recent occurrences include flash flooding reported in the city of Leoti on September 5, 2021, and near the Wichita and Logan County line on July 15, 2017, due to heavy rainfall from slow-moving thunderstorms.
Homeowners in Wichita County should be aware of their proximity to potential flood sources. Those residing in areas identified by FEMA as being at higher risk, such as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), should pay particular attention to flood insurance requirements and mitigation measures.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wichita County, Kansas has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 8 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (2005–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 14, 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 Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Snowstorm | Apr 28, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 6, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 28, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2021 | 0.01K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 21, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 8, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 7, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 22, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2006 | — |
Flash Flood — May 24, 2021
Storms initially developed around mid-day in west-central Kansas along an outflow boundary producing heavy rain and up to 60 mph thunderstorm wind gusts in Wichita and Logan counties. Throughout the afternoon, the environment became more favorable for storms as the initial storms expanded north to the Nebraska border with embedded supercell storms. During the afternoon, these storms were able t...
Flash Flood — Sep 5, 2021
During the late afternoon hours, isolated thunderstorms developed over portions of Northwest Kansas. One storm in Sheridan County produced up to 60 mph wind gusts along with penny to quarter sized hail. Another storm produced flash flooding in the city of Leoti.
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2017
During the afternoon a thunderstorm south of Halford produced hail up to quarter size. Later in the afternoon heavy rainfall from slow moving thunderstorms produced flash flooding over Highway 25 near the Wichita and Logan County line.
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2016
Severe thunderstorms came in three rounds for this event as numerous upper level disturbances moved over Northwest Kansas. The first round developed during the early afternoon in Wichita county and was confined to one storm which produced golf ball size hail and flash flooding. The next round came during the latter half of the evening, producing hen egg size hail near Atwood and in Rexford, a...
Flash Flood — May 21, 2016
Late in the afternoon through the evening a slow moving group of severe storms moved through part of Northwest Kansas underneath an upper level disturbance. This setup was favorable for the development of four weak, short-lived tornadoes in Wichita county. Since the tornadoes remained in open country no damage was reported with them. Large hail was very common with these storms. The largest...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Wichita 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 Wichita 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.