Enter any address in Morrow County, Ohio to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Morrow County. In the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 16 flash flood events and 12 flood events. For example, heavy rain associated with a slow-moving upper low caused rain rates of 2 inches per hour or higher in May 2020. In June 2019, a stationary front and saturated ground conditions led to rapid runoff and flash flooding, particularly south of US 30.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X have experienced the majority of claims, with 8 claims averaging $6,242 and an average water depth of 0.4 feet. One claim was recorded in Zone A, with an average payout of $20,331 and an average water depth of 0.0 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to rapid runoff and those located in Zone X should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Morrow County, Ohio has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 16 federal disaster declarations, 1 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 | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Wind Storm Associated With Tropical Depression Ike | Severe Storm | Sep 14, 2008 |
| Record Snow And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Mar 7, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2004 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 22, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 27, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 9, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2017 | 70.00K |
| Flood | Nov 18, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 22, 2013 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Jul 9, 2013 | 300.00K |
| Flood | Jul 9, 2013 | 45.00K |
| Flood | Feb 28, 2011 | 300.00K |
Flood — May 9, 2021
A surface area of low pressure tracked from the high plains crossing northern Ohio on Sunday May 9th. Widespread light to moderate rain developed Sunday morning and was ongoing through much of the day. Temperatures were in the upper 30s to low 40s, and some snowflakes mixed in midday. As the system moved east, rain turned to snow in the primary snowbelt with reports up to 2��� in northwes...
Flood — May 18, 2020
A slow moving upper low over Illinois combined with a conveyor belt of humid air over Ohio supported widespread showers and thunderstorms over southern and central Ohio on the afternoon and evening of the 18th. The weather conditions supported not severe weather but heavy rain. Rain rates of 2 inches an hour or higher were observed with storms that trained, or repeated over the same areas. Ove...
Flash Flood — Jun 16, 2019
A stationary front stalled across central Ohio on the afternoon of the 16th. Warm moist air was in place with dew points near 70 degrees. Recent rains across the region had produced nearly saturated ground conditions supporting rapid runoff and an increased risk of flash flooding. A flash flood watch was in effect for the afternoon hours. A mescoscale convective complex with heavy showers over ...
Flood — Apr 3, 2018
A warm front lifted north out of the central plains and into Ohio on April 3 with a trailing area of low pressure over Michigan. Morning showers on April 3rd brought an inch or two of rain to southern portions of the area over the Ohio River drainage basin. Later that afternoon and evening thunderstorms moved over these same already saturated areas. This additional heavy rain resulted in rapid ...
Flash Flood — Jun 23, 2017
As a cold front moved east toward the region on the morning and afternoon of the 23rd it interacted with an anomalously moist airmass associated with the remants of Tropical Storm Cindy over the Mississippi River Valley. Numerous showers and a few thunderstorms developed as a result. A nearly stationary axis of focused heavy rainfall occurred over North Central Ohio causing flash flooding durin...
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 Morrow County, Ohio:
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 Morrow County, Ohio 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.