Enter any address in Adair County, Oklahoma to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Adair County. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA data recorded 43 flash flood events resulting in 4 deaths, alongside 48 flood events with 1 fatality. Recent events include flash flooding on August 17, 2024, and general flooding on February 8, 2023, both linked to widespread storm systems and atmospheric conditions conducive to heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A, typically areas with higher flood risk, have experienced an average payout of $51,060 with an average water depth of 8.0 feet. While fewer claims have been filed in Zone X, these areas have seen significant payouts averaging $19,565 with an average water depth of 37.0 feet, suggesting that flood risk can extend beyond commonly recognized high-risk zones. Homeowners in identified flood zones, particularly those in Zone A, and those in Zone X areas with a history of deep water inundation, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
38 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Adair County, Oklahoma has recorded 91 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 43 flash floods and 48 river or area floods. The county has received 29 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 (1970–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Nov 2, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 2, 2022 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 8, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 8, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 7, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 5, 2015 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 4, 2022 | 0.00K (2 deaths) |
| Flood | May 4, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2024
Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms developed into northeastern Oklahoma during the afternoon of the 16th, and became more widespread across the area during the evening and overnight hours. The atmosphere became very unstable during the late afternoon over eastern Oklahoma, and deep layer wind shear increased over the region during the evening with the approach of an upper level disturbanc...
Flood — Feb 8, 2023
A cold front moved through much of eastern Oklahoma on the 7th, and became nearly stationary across southeastern Oklahoma and west central Arkansas through the 8th. This front was the focus for two rounds of showers and thunderstorms across the region. The first round occurred from the evening hours of the 7th through the early morning hours of the 8th, and the second round occurred from the mi...
Flash Flood — May 5, 2022
A strong storm system slowly moved from the central Rockies into the Southern and Central Plains on the 4th and 5th. The associated surface frontal boundary located over northern Texas early on the 4th moved north into central Oklahoma as a warm front by the late afternoon, and then near the Kansas border on the 5th ahead of a cold front. The first round of thunderstorms developed over eastern ...
Flood — May 5, 2022
A strong storm system slowly moved from the central Rockies into the Southern and Central Plains on the 4th and 5th. The associated surface frontal boundary located over northern Texas early on the 4th moved north into central Oklahoma as a warm front by the late afternoon, and then near the Kansas border on the 5th ahead of a cold front. The first round of thunderstorms developed over eastern ...
Flash Flood — Nov 4, 2022
Severe thunderstorms moved through eastern Oklahoma during the late afternoon and evening of the 4th. The atmosphere became moderately unstable ahead of a cold front approaching from the north and a dry line approaching from the west. Deep layer and low level wind shear increased during the afternoon and evening across the area, with the approach of a strong upper level disturbance, and became ...
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 Adair County, Oklahoma:
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 Adair County, Oklahoma 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.