Enter any address in Iron County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall is the dominant flood character in Iron County. Recent events include flash flooding reported on February 24, 2018, following several rounds of heavy rain, and a fatal flash flood event on November 4, 2024, attributed to persistent rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $7,410 and an average water depth of 1.5 feet. Properties in Zone X have also seen significant claims, with a higher average payout of $16,826, though with a lower average water depth of 0.2 feet. Residents in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those located near waterways or in low-lying areas, should pay the most 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.
Iron County, Missouri has recorded 25 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 26 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 (1976–2025)
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 Wildfires | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 29, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Dec 10, 2021 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 29, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 4, 2024 | 60.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 24, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 28, 2015 | 220.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 18, 2013 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 3, 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 — Nov 4, 2024
Overnight on Sunday, November 3rd, a shield of rain and thunderstorms moved into the bi-state area. By Monday morning, persistent rainfall resulted in fatal flash flooding in southeast Missouri, with one fatality occurring in Iron County. Later on Monday evening, a QLCS produced two EF-0 tornadoes in east-central Missouri and shifted the axis of heaviest rain to the north. Due to the shift nort...
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2019
An upper level disturbance moved through southern Missouri and into southern Illinois triggering showers and storms. Some of the storms produced damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Feb 24, 2018
Several rounds of heavy rain fell over the region leading up to February 24th. Storm total amounts ranged from 2 to 6 inches with the highest amounts along and south of I-44. Flash flooding was reported in a number of locations.
Flash Flood — Apr 29, 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...
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 Iron 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 Iron 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.