Enter any address in Christian County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Christian County, Missouri. Between April 4th and April 6th, 2025, multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms produced rainfall totals of 8-10 inches, with localized amounts reaching 12 inches, leading to significant flash flooding and river flooding. This event resulted in two flood fatalities in West Plains.
Over the past 30 years, Christian County has experienced 127 flash flood events and 44 flood events, with flash flooding accounting for one reported death. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced an average water depth of 5.6 feet and received an average claim payout of $58,960. Properties in Zone X have seen average water depths of 12.5 feet with average payouts of $23,198, and Zone X_Unshaded properties have averaged 18.8 feet of water depth with average payouts of $12,957. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near rivers and streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
62 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Christian County, Missouri has recorded 171 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 127 flash floods and 44 river or area floods. The county has received 22 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 (1976–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Flood | Apr 28, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Dec 22, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 15, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 8, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flood — Apr 30, 2025
Slow moving showers and storms moved over portions of the Ozarks that had received multiple rounds of heavy rainfall over the preceding week. This lead to flooding on several low water crossings and caused some rivers to reach minor flood stage.
Flash Flood — May 25, 2025
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms occurred from Friday, May 23 through Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Total Rainfall amounts ranged between 2-5 inches, with localized amounts up to 8.6 inches.
Flood — May 24, 2025
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms occurred from Friday, May 23 through Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Total Rainfall amounts ranged between 2-5 inches, with localized amounts up to 8.6 inches.
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 — May 19, 2025
A strong storm system pushed into the area during the afternoon of May 19, 2025 and persisted into the evening and overnight hours.�� This system produced 8 tornadoes across the area, along with widespread wind damage and between 1 and 5 inches of rainfall.�� The intense rainfall led to some localized flash flooding, areal flooding and river flooding.
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 Christian 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 Christian 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.