Enter any address in Lincoln County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lincoln County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 38 flash flood events and 18 general flood events. Recent examples include heavy rainfall in July 2025 that led to flash flooding and a state of emergency in Elsberry, affecting 70 to 80 homes and businesses. In July 2022, training thunderstorms produced rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches per hour over several hours in areas like Hawk Point.
FEMA data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the highest number of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims, with an average payout of $15,664 and an average water depth of 7.2 feet. Properties in Zone X, though fewer in number, have seen the highest average payouts at $23,547, with an average water depth of 5.0 feet. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near waterways or in low-lying areas, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lincoln County, Missouri has recorded 56 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 38 flash floods and 18 river or area floods. The county has received 29 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 24, 2021 |
| 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 | Flood | Dec 23, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 15, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 29, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And A Tornado | Severe Storm | Sep 11, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 60.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 5.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2022 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 4, 2019 | 2.00M |
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
During the late evening and early morning hours of July 20th/21st, an MCS moved southeast through east-central Missouri. The front edge of the system produced very efficient and heavy rainfall, causing flash flood conditions quickly. This was exacerbated in portions of eastern Audrain County which received multiple rounds of this heavy rain.
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
During the night of July 26th-July 27th, moisture convergence along a low-level jet spurred convection in eastern Missouri. This convection developed in an environment primed for efficient and heavy rainfall. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms trained over Lincoln County, producing flash flooding mainly in Elsberry where a state of emergency was declared. In all, there were 42 water rescues and 7...
Flash Flood — Jul 26, 2022
During the early morning of Tuesday, July 26th, 2022, a complex of training thunderstorms set up roughly along the I-70 corridor in Missouri and I-64 corridor in Illinois. Several rounds of thunderstorms with rainfall rates exceeding 2in/hr affected this area, including the St. Louis metropolitan area, through the early hours of July 26th and into the morning commute. Upwards of 11 of rain fell...
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2021
A composite outflow boundary extending from the Kansas City area towards southeast Missouri was a focus for new development from the evening hours of June 25th through June 26th. There were numerous reports of damaging winds and flash flooding with this event, as well as a tornado.
Flash Flood — Jul 12, 2021
An upper level shortwave brought several rounds of showers and storms. Some of the storms dumped up to 4 inches of rain in a short amount of time causing 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.