Enter any address in Pettis County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Pettis County. In September 2019, several areas experienced flash flooding after 3 to 5 inches of rain, inundating businesses in Harrisonville under several feet of water. Similarly, in August 2016, intense thunderstorms produced 4 to 7 inches of rain, with some locations receiving over 8 inches in a few hours, leading to road closures and structural damage.
While flash flooding is frequent, other flood types have also occurred. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X, which represents areas with a moderate flood risk, have experienced the highest average payouts, suggesting significant damage. Properties in Zone A, typically considered high-risk areas, also have a notable number of claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone X, Zone A, and those near waterways should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Pettis County, Missouri has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 30 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 (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, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 15, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 8, 2007 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 30, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 28, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 3, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 20, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 12, 2008 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 28, 2019
Several areas had flash flooding after 3 to 5 inches of rain fell across the area. The worst of the flooding came from Harrisonville, where several business were inundated under several feet of water.
Flash Flood — Aug 1, 2016
On the morning of August 1, 2016 a complex of thunderstorms formed across portions of northern and central Missouri. These storms trained over the same area for several hours resulting in 4 to 7 inches of rain across much of the area. Some locations saw well over 8 inches of rain over a few hour period on the morning of August 1. While most of the flooding was minor, resulting in some road clos...
Flood — Dec 28, 2015
Preceding the winter storm several inches of rain fell across western and central Missouri, causing a few roads to become covered in water.
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2015
Several rounds of severe thunderstorms developed during the early morning hours and during the afternoon and evening hours of July 1st. Within a northwest flow pattern, extreme instability developed. As a shortwave tracked southeast over the region, increasing mid to upper level winds allowed for strong shear to develop. The greatest combination of instability and shear occurred during the afte...
Flash Flood — Apr 3, 2014
Severe thunderstorms developed during the evening hours of April 2nd along a warm front draped from southern Kansas through Missouri. Storms initially developed in southeastern Kansas and eventually tracked into western Missouri. The storms produced very large hail, including baseball sized hail in Linn County, Kansas.
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 Pettis 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 Pettis 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.