Enter any address in St. Francois County, Missouri to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in St. Francois County. In August 2023, thunderstorms caused widespread heavy rain and flash flooding, with some areas receiving 6-8 inches of rain. Earlier, in July 2021, training storms dropped up to 4 inches of rain in a short period, leading to reports of flash flooding.
Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 28 flash flood events and 2 flood events in the county. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $38,240 and an average water depth of 8.5 feet. Properties in Zone X also have a history of claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in other flood zones with recorded claims, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
St. Francois County, Missouri has recorded 30 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 28 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2020)
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 | Flood | Dec 23, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 8, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 17, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 8, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Nov 30, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 60.00K |
| Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 21, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 4, 2025
A stationary front over southern Missouri along with ample mid-level forcing, moisture, and efficient rain processes resulted in flooding across portions of east-central and southeast Missouri. Numerous roads across the St. Louis metropolitan area were impassable due to the heavy rainfall.
Flood — Apr 4, 2025
A stationary front over southern Missouri along with ample mid-level forcing, moisture, and efficient rain processes resulted in flooding across portions of east-central and southeast Missouri. Numerous roads across the St. Louis metropolitan area were impassable due to the heavy rainfall.
Flash Flood — Aug 3, 2023
Thunderstorms developed over central Missouri during the early evening hours. They moved east/southeast through the overnight hours. Numerous large hail and damaging wind reports were received. During the late evening through overnight hours, widespread heavy rain fell causing flash flooding. There was fairly widespread 1-3 rainfall totals, with isolated 6-8+ in central Missouri and south-centr...
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2021
Training storms moved through portions of southeast Missouri and southwestern Illinois with up to 4 inches of rain in a short amount of time. There were several reports of flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 28, 2018
A mesoscale convective complex moved southeast across the area, mainly along and east of Mississippi River. There were numerous reports of damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding and even a tornado with some of these storms.
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 St. Francois 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 St. Francois 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.