Enter any address in DeKalb County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in DeKalb County, MO. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 15 flash flood events and 6 flood events. For example, on June 25, 2021, a line of thunderstorms caused flash flooding across northern Missouri, with damage consistent with tornadoes reported near Trenton and Laredo. Earlier, on April 5, 2017, widespread rain led to numerous flooded roads across northern Missouri, though impacts were generally resolved as water receded.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that while Zone A properties have experienced payouts averaging $9,330 with an average water depth of 33.5 feet, Zone X properties have had no recorded payouts or water depth. Homeowners in Zone A, or those located near rivers and streams, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
DeKalb County, Missouri has recorded 21 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, 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 Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 12, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 8, 2007 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 5, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 14, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 13, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2009 | 0.00K |
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...
Flood — Apr 5, 2017
Widespread moderate to heavy rain resulted in numerous roads across northern Missouri to be flooded. Impacts were rather low, as most of these closures were soon resolved once the water receded.
Flood — Sep 14, 2016
On the evening of September 13, widespread thunderstorm activity brought areas of flooding across northern Missouri and eastern Kansas. The extent of the impacts were several roads closed as a result of flowing and standing water. Rainfall amounts were very excessive, with some area reporting over 7 inches of rain. The highest report was in Doniphan County Kansas where over 11 inches of rain fe...
Flood — Sep 13, 2016
On the evening of September 13, widespread thunderstorm activity brought areas of flooding across northern Missouri and eastern Kansas. The extent of the impacts were several roads closed as a result of flowing and standing water. Rainfall amounts were very excessive, with some area reporting over 7 inches of rain. The highest report was in Doniphan County Kansas where over 11 inches of rain fe...
Flash Flood — May 16, 2015
A quasi-linear convective system moved through east central Kansas and west central Missouri producing multiple QLCS tornadoes and significant damage associated with numerous mesovortices. Interestingly, there was a supercell ahead of the line that also produced a tornado. Also, this line of storms produced extreme rain rates and widespread flash flooding was reported throughout the Kansas City...
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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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.