Enter any address in Cooper County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Cooper County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 125 flood events and 33 flash flood events, with one reported fatality. For example, on June 25, 2021, a line of thunderstorms caused flash flooding across northern Missouri. Similarly, on May 25, 2020, scattered minor flash flooding events occurred.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent and severe flooding, with an average water depth of 4.0 feet and an average payout of $22,525. While Zone X_Unshaded properties have also filed claims, the average water depth was significantly lower at 0.5 feet, with an average payout of $11,862. Homeowners in Zone A and those in areas with a history of flash flooding 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.
Cooper County, Missouri has recorded 158 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 33 flash floods and 125 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 30, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 24, 2021 |
| 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 | Dec 22, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 9, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 28, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2015 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
Flood — Jun 25, 2021
Late in the afternoon, and through the evening hours on June 24 a cluster of storms over southeast Nebraska congealed into a line of thunderstorms that focused across northern Missouri. Most notably within this line of storms was a cluster of QLCS tornadoes that formed in Grundy County. There may have been other tornadoes associated with circulations that were noted on radar, but emergency mana...
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2021
Late in the afternoon, and through the evening hours on June 24 a cluster of storms over southeast Nebraska congealed into a line of thunderstorms that focused across northern Missouri. Most notably within this line of storms was a cluster of QLCS tornadoes that formed in Grundy County. There may have been other tornadoes associated with circulations that were noted on radar, but emergency mana...
Flash Flood — May 25, 2020
Two rounds of severe weather formed on May 25th. The first round produced a weak and brief tornado that was witnessed, but produced no damage. The second round later in the evening mainly produced some scattered minor flash flooding events and strong winds that produced minor damage.
Flood — Jun 9, 2020
A brief tornado formed near I-29 close to the town of Oregon, Missouri. This tornado was filmed, so while video evidence exists, there was no reported damage from this brief tornado. Ongoing moderate to heavy rain caused some roads to be closed in central Missouri through most of the day.
Flood — May 1, 2019
Heavy late winter and spring precipitation, mixed with a loaded snow pack caused the Missouri River to flood in March. Consistent heavy rains continued the Missouri River flooding into and through May. Some locations along the Missouri River were in major flood for several weeks as heavy rains continued.
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 Cooper 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 Cooper 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.