Enter any address in Barry County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Barry County. Between April 4th and 6th, 2025, widespread showers and thunderstorms produced rainfall totals of 8-10 inches, with localized amounts reaching 12 inches, leading to significant flash flooding and river flooding. Another instance of flash flooding occurred on September 23rd, 2025, when 2-3 inches of rain fell across the area.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $25,319 and an average water depth of 4.1 feet. However, properties in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded have also seen claims with significantly higher average payouts, suggesting that flood risk is not limited to designated flood zones. Homeowners, particularly those in or near identified flood zones, and those without a confirmed Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for their property, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
100 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Barry County, Missouri has recorded 268 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 184 flash floods and 84 river or area floods. The county has received 29 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 29, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 19, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 29, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 29, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Flood | Apr 28, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Dec 23, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 15, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 2, 2013 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 7, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 23, 2025
A front approached southern Missouri during the afternoon and evening hours of September 23. Several thunderstorms developed and moved across the area. Some storms produced damaging winds in Dallas and Webster counties. Several instances of flash flooding occurred across McDonald, Barry and Taney counties where 2-3 inches of rainfall occurred.
Flash Flood — Sep 20, 2025
A corridor of thunderstorms from Neosho to Cassville to Branson occurred during the evening of September 20th. These thunderstorms moved over the same areas causing damaging winds and flash flooding. Up to 6 inches of rainfall occurred over a 12 hour period across portions of Barry County.
Flood — Apr 20, 2025
A strong storm system moved through the area on Sunday April 20th, 2025. This system brought tornadoes, damaging wind, large hail and heavy rain. The heavy rainfall led to flooding as the area had already received heavy rainfall from storms earlier in the week. Multiple area rivers reached minor to moderate flood stage due to heavy runoff.
Flash Flood — Apr 20, 2025
A strong storm system moved through the area on Sunday April 20th, 2025. This system brought tornadoes, damaging wind, large hail and heavy rain. The heavy rainfall led to flooding as the area had already received heavy rainfall from storms earlier in the week. Multiple area rivers reached minor to moderate flood stage due to heavy runoff.
Flood — Apr 19, 2025
Slow moving storms produced heavy rainfall across portions of the Ozarks causing flooding of multiple low water areas. The initial storms that develop the evening of the 18th were able to take advantage at limited shear and instability to produce a brief EF0 tornado and localized wind damage.
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 Barry County, Missouri:
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 Barry County, Missouri 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.