Enter any address in Jackson County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character of Jackson County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 143 flash flood events and 68 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding across much of the southern two-thirds of the county on July 1, 2024, following 3 to 6 inches of rain in a three-hour period, and isolated flash flooding along Brush Creek on May 16, 2021.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $30,323 and an average water depth of 3.2 feet. While Zone X_UNSHADED has fewer claims, the average payout is still significant at $6,377, with an average water depth of 1.3 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in other flood zones like 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.
60 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Jackson County, Missouri has recorded 211 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 143 flash floods and 68 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 (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, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 29, 2019 |
| 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 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2024
During the morning and early afternoon hours of July 1st, heavy rainfall yielded flash flooding across much of the southern two thirds of Jackson County. A swath of 3 to 6 of rain with isolated locations up to 7 fell within about a 3 hour time period from about 930 am to 1230 pm.
Flash Flood — May 16, 2021
Weak thunderstorms brought persistent moderate rain to the area, which caused some isolated flash flooding along Brush Creek near Ward Parkway.
Flood — May 28, 2020
On the morning of May 28 there was some minor flash flooding, causing some roads in the area to shut down briefly.
Flash Flood — Sep 5, 2020
On the morning of September 5th heavy rain caused some minor flash flooding in the Kansas Metro area. No damage or injuries were reported.
Flood — Apr 30, 2019
Mulitple rounds of severe weather brought some marginally large hail and periods of flooding to the region.
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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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.