Enter any address in Putnam County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe weather events is the dominant flood character in Putnam County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 22 flash flood events compared to one general flood event. For example, widespread flash flooding occurred across northern Missouri on May 28, 2019, as part of a larger severe weather outbreak.
While most flood insurance claims in Putnam County are in Zone X, which typically experiences lower flood risk, one claim averaged a payout of $3,122 with an average water depth of 0.0 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near waterways or in low-lying terrain, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Putnam County, Missouri has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2020)
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 |
| 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 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2004 | — |
Flash Flood — May 28, 2019
Widespread severe weather moved through the region on May 28. One supercell produced several tornadoes, including the Lawrence to Linwood, Kansas tornado. This storm then went on to produce an EF-2 tornado in northeastern Clay County and did damage to portions of Kearney, Missouri. Earlier in the day, through the morning and early afternoon hours several storms moved through northern Missouri c...
Flood — Apr 5, 2017
Widespread moderate to heavy rain resulted in numerous roads across northern Missouri to be flooded. Impacts were rather low, as most of these closures were soon resolved once the water receded.
Flash Flood — Jun 24, 2015
Widespread wind, hail, and flooding occurred, starting overnight on the 24th into the 25th. While flooding was the biggest problem, mainly in Missouri for the morning of the 25th, severe weather moved in and brought a wide area of severe reports across the area.
Flash Flood — Jun 3, 2014
Several lines of storms erupted over northern Missouri into southeastern Nebraska and tracked southeast producing widespread severe weather in northern and northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. The multiple rounds of storms also produced widespread rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with some areas reporting as much as 5 inches of rain.
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2010
Thunderstorms erupted the evening of July 19th, along a stationary front that was draped across southern Iowa. The storms quickly moved south into north central Missouri. The storms took on a supercell character, due to strong directional and speed shear, coupled with unstable atmospheric conditions. An initial report of a funnel cloud was received just before 9 pm north of Mercer, Missouri, wi...
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 Putnam 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 Putnam 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.