Enter any address in Kiowa County, Oklahoma to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Kiowa County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 37 recorded flash flood events compared to 8 general flood events. For example, widespread severe weather on May 20, 2019, led to flash flooding, and a similar system on May 25, 2019, also produced flash flood conditions.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $34,099 and an average water depth of 15.6 feet. Claims in Zone UNKNOWN also show significant payouts. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay particular 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.
Kiowa County, Oklahoma has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 37 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 36 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1983–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny Fire | Fire | Dec 19, 2025 |
| 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 |
| 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 Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Ice Storm | Nov 27, 2015 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 23, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 23, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 20, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 7, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 26, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2010 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 25, 2019
Scattered supercells merged into a linear system that produced a variety of severe weather on the 25th.
Flood — Apr 23, 2019
A cold front brought thunderstorms with isolated severe wind gusts on the 22nd into the 23rd.
Flash Flood — May 20, 2019
An extremely unstable environment led to widespread severe weather across Texas and Oklahoma on the 20th into the morning of the 21st.
Flash Flood — Oct 7, 2018
A warm front lifted north through Oklahoma during the day on the 7th, producing numerous thunderstorms.
Flash Flood — Apr 26, 2016
The 26th began with a few isolated storms forming out ahead of the dryline and becoming severe. Later in the afternoon, the dryline surged east and storms fired along the boundary. These storms quickly became severe and gradually merged into a line as they moved eastward through the evening.
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 Kiowa 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 Kiowa 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.