About IsItFlooding
IsItFlooding answers one question — is the river flooding right now? — in plain English, using live data from official U.S. government sources. It pairs real-time water levels from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgauges with the National Weather Service’s official flood stages, so you can tell at a glance whether a river near you is normal, rising toward flood stage, or already flooding.
How it works
Every 15 minutes we fetch the latest gauge height and streamflow for thousands of USGS streamgauges and compare each reading to that gauge’s official NWS flood thresholds. Each gauge then gets a plain-English status and a color, from “no flooding” to “major flooding.” Everything is based on published government data — we don’t model or estimate readings ourselves.
How to check if your river is flooding
- Find your location. Open IsItFlooding and enter your ZIP code, or allow location access, to see the gauges nearest you.
- Read the status. Each nearby gauge is color-coded by flood status, from green (no flooding) to purple (major flooding).
- Open a gauge. Tap any gauge for its current water level, the official NWS flood stage, the forecast, and recent history.
- Follow official warnings. For official forecasts and warnings, follow the linked National Weather Service page and your local authorities.
What the flood categories mean
The National Weather Service defines flood severity in standard categories, and IsItFlooding uses the same ones:
- No flooding — the river is below its action stage.
- Near flood stage (action) — water is approaching flood stage — a good time to start paying attention.
- Minor flooding — minimal property damage, but some public threat, such as low-lying roads under water.
- Moderate flooding — some inundation of roads and structures near the river, and some evacuations possible.
- Major flooding — extensive inundation, with significant evacuations and property impact.
Not every gauge has an official flood stage; those gauges show their water level and flow without a flood label.
Where the data comes from
River levels come from USGS real-time streamgauges (gauge height and discharge). Flood stages, forecasts, and historic crests come from the NOAA National Weather Service. Both are public-domain U.S. government data. Readings are provisional and may be revised — see our Disclaimer.
Streamflow compared to normal
Beyond flood status, our streamflow conditions map shows how each river’s flow compares to its own historical normal for this week of the year — useful for spotting drought (unusually low water) or unusually high flow, and for planning fishing and paddling.
Where we cover
IsItFlooding currently tracks 48 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, with more on the way. You can also browse the live national flood map or find rivers near you.
A note on safety
IsItFlooding is for general information only — it is not an emergency tool, and provisional readings can be delayed or inaccurate. In an emergency, call 911 and follow the National Weather Service and your local authorities. Please read our full disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if the river is flooding near me?
Enter your ZIP code or allow location access on the homepage. IsItFlooding lists the gauges nearest you with a plain-English flood status, updated every 15 minutes.
Where does the flood data come from?
River levels come from USGS streamgauges; flood stages, forecasts, and historic crests come from the NOAA National Weather Service. Both are public-domain U.S. government data.
How often is the data updated?
Readings refresh every 15 minutes.
What does flood stage mean?
Flood stage is the water level at which a river begins to cause flooding. The National Weather Service defines categories from action (near flood stage) through minor, moderate, and major flooding.
Can I rely on IsItFlooding during an emergency?
No. It is for general information only and readings are provisional. In an emergency, call 911 and follow the National Weather Service and local authorities.
Who’s behind it
IsItFlooding is built and maintained by Clinton Munkres, an independent developer, to make official U.S. river data easier to read. It is free to use and supported by advertising, which helps cover its running costs. Spot a problem, or want a gauge added? Email questions@isitflooding.com.