Enter any address in Bates County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rain is the dominant flood character in Bates County. Recent events include flash flooding on June 6, 2019, and general flooding on May 21, 2019, both attributed to intense rainfall from thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $38,832 and an average water depth of 13.3 feet. Properties in Zone X have also seen claims, averaging $18,002 with an average water depth of -17.8 feet, while Zone X_Unshaded properties had fewer claims averaging $6,179 with an average water depth of 7.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those located near waterways or in areas prone to heavy rainfall, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bates County, Missouri has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 29, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 3, 2020 |
| 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 | Severe Storm | May 15, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 28, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2013 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 28, 2021
Heavy rain produced some marginal flash flooding in Miami County Kansas and nearby Bates County Missouri.
Flood — May 21, 2019
A line of generally sub-severe thunderstorms moved through the region during the early morning hours on May 21. These storms didn't produce any severe winds or hail, but as they moved east wake low winds produced damage consisting of several tree limbs down as well as power lines and power poles. The storms then went on to produce torrential rains which caused areas of flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 6, 2019
A few storms produced sub-severe hail, along with isolated hail up to golf ball sized. Isolated flash flooding also occurred due to heavy rain.
Flood — May 20, 2018
Numerous thunderstorms pushed through western and central Missouri on May 19. These storms produced very large hail, as large as baseballs. Strong winds, along with the hail, caused structural damage, mainly across northern Missouri.
Flood — Apr 29, 2017
During a several-day stretch at the end of April numerous rounds of rain moved through the Kansas City Metro area and areas of central Missouri. While the bulk of the flooding occurred just south of the EAX forecast area, there were still some minor flooding impacts felt across western and central Missouri. There was also high wind as a result of passing thunderstorms. A wake low produced wides...
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 Bates 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 Bates 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.