Enter any address in Cole County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Cole County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 26 flash flood events and 14 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 19, 2020, following a stalled cold front, and isolated flash flooding on July 30, 2020, after heavy rainfall along the Missouri River.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $19,442 and an average water depth of 8.5 feet. Claims in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED also indicate flood risk, with higher average payouts in Zone X ($21,003) despite a lower average water depth (5.6 feet) compared to Zone A. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cole County, Missouri has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 26 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Flooding | Flood | Jun 1, 2011 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 30, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 10, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2016 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Dec 27, 2015 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2021
A composite outflow boundary extending from the Kansas City area towards southeast Missouri was a focus for new development from the evening hours of June 25th through June 26th. There were numerous reports of damaging winds and flash flooding with this event, as well as a tornado.
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2020
An area of low pressure centered over south central Illinois dragged a weak cold front slowly south through the forecast area. Widespread convection developed along the Missouri River in central Missouri, dumping up to 4 inches of rain over a three hour period causing isolated flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2020
A strong cold front moved into the region and stalled out along the I-70 corridor. Numerous showers and storms developed along the boundary. Some of the storms became severe with reports of damaging winds and large hail. Also, a couple of the storms dropped very heavy rainfall causing flash flooding.
Flood — Apr 30, 2017
A strong spring storm system brought multiple rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rain to the southeast half of Missouri during the weekend of April 29th-30th. Rainfall totals surpassed nine inches in some locations and this led to flash flooding and historic flooding along some of the tributaries of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Areas along the Meramec River were especially hard hit as n...
Flood — May 1, 2017
A strong spring storm system brought multiple rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rain to the southeast half of Missouri during the last couple days of April. Rainfall totals surpassed nine inches in some locations and this led to historic flooding along some of the tributaries of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Areas along the Meramec River were especially hard hit as new records were set ...
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 Cole 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 Cole 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.