Enter any address in Adams County, Washington to see its FEMA flood zone
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Adams County, Washington has recorded 7 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 10 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 (1977–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lind Fire | Fire | Aug 4, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides | Flood | Jan 30, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Record And Near Record Snow | Severe Storm | Dec 12, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Land & Muds Slides,flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 1996 |
| High Winds, Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jan 26, 1996 |
| Volcanic Eruption, Mt. St. Helens | Volcanic Eruption | May 21, 1980 |
| Drought | Drought | Mar 31, 1977 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Feb 16, 2017 | 200.00K |
| Flood | Feb 16, 2017 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Feb 12, 2014 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 9, 2005 | — |
| Flood | Jun 27, 2001 | — |
| Flood | May 21, 1997 | — |
| Flood | Jan 2, 1997 | — |
Flood — Feb 16, 2017
During the afternoon of February 15th and into the morning of February 16th an atmospheric river of moisture produced widespread heavy rain across eastern Washington. The Spokane airport received 1.18 inches of rainfall during this period, Harrington 1.27 inches and 1.55 inches of rain fell at Newport. Runoff from this rain along with low elevation snow melt produced widespread small stream and...
Flood — Feb 12, 2014
Numerous areas across the Idaho Panhandle dealt with flooding during the second week of February. While minor flooding is a common occurrence during the late winter months when warmer temperatures, wind, and rain fall on valley snowpack, there was one ingredient of this event that made it unique and rather intense for many locations. This was the intrusion of two Arctic air masses; one in Decem...
Flash Flood — May 9, 2005
On the evening of the 9th of May, a storm system brought slow moving thunderstorms across Eastern Washington. These storms dumped 2 to 5 inches of rain in about 6 hours on portions of Adams, Lincoln and Chelan Counties. In Adams County, flash flooding occurred in and around the town of Ritzville. Many homes, streets and businesses were flooded due to the heavy rain. In Lincoln County, a few hom...
Flood — Jun 27, 2001
Summary of events for June 27 2001:A shortwave moved over the Inland Northwest on the afternoon and evening of June 27. Surface dewpoints in the upper 50s and lower 60s helped scattered thunderstorms to develop and move northeast. The biggest storm of the day developed over the Oregon Cascades and then moved northeast into Washington. This storm entered Grant County near Priest Rapids Dam, c...
Flood — Jan 2, 1997
The towns of Rosalia, Rockford, Tekoa and Oaksdale all flooded as Hangman and Rock Creek overflowed. Buses and trucks were banned from all Whitman County roads. Most flooded homes and businesses had two feet or three feet of water in them.
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 Adams County, Washington:
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 Adams County, Washington 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.