Enter any address in Franklin County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Franklin County, MO. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 36 flash flood events and 16 general flood events. Recent examples include widespread flooding across portions of east-central and southeast Missouri on April 4, 2025, caused by heavy rainfall, and flash flooding due to thunderstorms on August 2, 2023, which brought heavy rain to central Missouri.
FEMA data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims, with an average payout of $28,904 and an average water depth of 11.0 feet. Properties in Zone X also see significant claims, averaging $22,013 with 9.3 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in other identified flood zones, 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.
Franklin County, Missouri has recorded 52 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 36 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 9 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 Wildfires | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 2025 |
| 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 23, 2015 |
| Flooding | Flood | Jun 1, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 17, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 8, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 8, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 30, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 1, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 4, 2025
A stationary front over southern Missouri along with ample mid-level forcing, moisture, and efficient rain processes resulted in flooding across portions of east-central and southeast Missouri. Numerous roads across the St. Louis metropolitan area were impassable due to the heavy rainfall.
Flash Flood — May 8, 2024
The bi-state region was threatened with severe thunderstorms on May 8th. Numerous supercells produced very large hail most of the day, and a small QLCS produced multiple tornadoes in southeast Missouri.
Flash Flood — Aug 2, 2023
Thunderstorms developed over central Missouri during the early evening hours. They moved east/southeast through the overnight hours. Numerous large hail and damaging wind reports were received. During the late evening through overnight hours, widespread heavy rain fell causing flash flooding. There was fairly widespread 1-3 rainfall totals, with isolated 6-8+ in central Missouri and south-centr...
Flash Flood — Aug 2, 2023
A swath of strong to severe storms with very heavy rainfall rates moved southeast across portions of northern and central Missouri during the early morning hours of August 2nd. There were several reports of flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 26, 2019
Several shortwaves moved through the region with several waves of showers and storms through the evening on August 25th and into the early morning hours on August 26th. Up to 6 inches of rain fell, along and just south of I-70 over portions of east central Missouri. There were numerous reports of flash flooding in this area.
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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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.