Enter any address in Knox County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Knox County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 25 flash flood events compared to 4 general flood events. Recent examples include storms on May 26, 2019, and September 27, 2019, which produced flash flooding along with damaging winds and hail. Earlier, on June 25, 2015, heavy rainfall caused considerable flash flooding in Knox and Lewis counties.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced significant flood damage, with an average payout of $472,520 and an average water depth of 24 feet. Claims in Zone X_Unshaded also show substantial payouts, averaging $107,640 with a 4-foot water depth. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
Knox County, Missouri has recorded 29 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 29, 2023 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 9, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 29, 2013 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2015 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 10, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 29, 2009 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 27, 2019
A strong cold front moved into the forecast area, triggering showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms became severe producing large hail, damaging winds and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 26, 2019
Storms developed along an old outflow boundary across portions of northeast Missouri and west central Illinois. There were numerous reports of damaging winds and several reports of flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2015
A frontal boundary was slowly sinking south across forecast area. Several rounds of storms developed and moved east along the front dumping up to 8 inches of rain in a 24 hour period from 7 am June 25th to 7 am June 26th. This caused considerable flash flooding, especially in Lincoln County Missouri and Calhoun County Illinois. There were also numerous reports of damaging winds and large hail.
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2015
A complex of storms developed over northern Missouri and tracked to the east, dumping a lot of rain over northeastern Missouri. There were numerous reports of flash flooding over Knox and Lewis counties.
Flash Flood — Sep 10, 2014
An MCS developed and moved through forecast area. There were several reports of severe weather as well as flash flooding.
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 Knox 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 Knox 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.