Enter any address in Ellis County, Oklahoma to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Ellis County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 14 flash flood events and 1 flood event. For example, on October 25, 2000, 3 to 6 inches of rain fell across a band extending through Ellis County, with local amounts near 7 inches, leading to flash flooding. Earlier, on April 26, 2009, severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes and flash flooding in the area.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced flooding, with an average payout of $3,388 and an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Residents in Zone A, as well as those in low-lying areas or areas prone to rapid water accumulation, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ellis County, Oklahoma has recorded 15 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 29 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1990–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 840 Road Fire | Fire | Mar 14, 2025 |
| Catesby Fire | Fire | Feb 27, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 8, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 8, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Oct 26, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Gauge Fire | Fire | Nov 26, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 7, 2019 |
| Nw Oklahoma Wildfire Outbreak Complex | Fire | Mar 6, 2017 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 8, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 26, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2005 | — |
| Flash Flood | Oct 25, 2000 | — |
| Flash Flood | Oct 24, 2000 | — |
| Flood | Apr 14, 1999 | — |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 1997 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 1996 | — |
Flash Flood — Sep 8, 2025
On the 8th, modest northwesterly flow aloft, including an embedded upper-level impulse, was present across the Southern Plains. This enhanced flow and lift contributed to scattered supercell thunderstorms from southern Kansas into portions of northern Oklahoma and the adjacent northeast Texas Panhandle. In addition to reports of large hail and isolated wind damage, a well-documented tornado occ...
Flash Flood — Apr 26, 2009
Thunderstorms developed along and east of a dry line over the eastern Texas panhandle. The atmosphere was extremely unstable and wind shear was more than sufficient to support severe thunderstorms, including supercell thunderstorms. Showers and thunderstorms that developed early in the day, gave way to more severe thunderstorms by mid afternoon. Severe weather of all types occurred, with numero...
Flash Flood — Oct 25, 2000
Flash flooding developed across portions of western Oklahoma during the evening of the 24th and early morning of the 25th. Although some flooding developed quickly without extremely heavy rain due to saturated soil, significant amounts of rain were recorded across portions of northwest Oklahoma. Three to 6 inches fell in a 20 mile band extending from near Arnett in Ellis County northeastward th...
Flash Flood — Oct 24, 2000
Flash flooding developed across portions of western Oklahoma during the evening of the 24th and early morning of the 25th. Although some flooding developed quickly without extremely heavy rain due to saturated soil, significant amounts of rain were recorded across portions of northwest Oklahoma. Three to 6 inches fell in a 20 mile band extending from near Arnett in Ellis County northeastward th...
Flood — Apr 14, 1999
Between 3 and 6 inches of rain fell across much of northwest and north central Oklahoma during the morning and afternoon of the 14th, resulting in flooding. The worst flooding occurred in northern Alfalfa County near Cherokee, Byron, Driftwood, and Burlington were localized rainfall amounts exceeded 7 inches. Cottonwood Canyon Bridge on N. Grand in Cherokee was flooded, and many rivers and cree...
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 Ellis 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 Ellis 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.