Enter any address in Bullock County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flood recorded in Bullock County over the past 30 years, with 10 such events noted. These events are often associated with slow-moving storm systems or the remnants of tropical cyclones. For example, heavy rainfall of 4-6 inches in a three-hour period led to flash flooding on February 3-4, 2022. More recently, on September 16-17, 2020, Bullock County experienced 4-8 inches of rain, with some areas receiving up to 12 inches, following Hurricane Sally's landfall.
While flash floods are most common, tropical storms and depressions have also impacted the county, with 4 and 2 events respectively in the last three decades. These can bring significant rainfall and wind. For instance, Tropical Cyclone Zeta moved into southwest Alabama as a tropical storm in late October 2020, and Hurricane Michael brought tropical storm conditions to the southeast portions of Central Alabama in October 2018.
Homeowners in areas designated as Zone X, which have seen claims with average payouts exceeding $50,000 and water depths of 2 feet, should be particularly aware of flood risks. Residents in areas with unknown flood zone designations, which have also experienced claims, should also exercise caution.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bullock County, Alabama has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1975–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | Hurricane | Sep 22, 2024 |
| Hurricane Sally | Hurricane | Sep 14, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Michael | Hurricane | Oct 10, 2018 |
| Hurricane Nate | Hurricane | Oct 6, 2017 |
| Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sep 8, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 23, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Apr 27, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Feb 3, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 24, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 14, 2009 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Nov 9, 2009 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 7, 2009 | 100.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Aug 23, 2008 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Feb 3, 2022
A slow moving cold front moved through Central Alabama during the afternoon and overnight hours on February 3-4. A supercell thunderstorm developed in far eastern Mississippi and produced three EF2 tornadoes as it moved across west Alabama. Additional storms produced 2 EF0 tornadoes in Elmore County. A line of storms stalled along and south of the Interstate 85 corridor, resulting in a period ...
Tropical Storm — Oct 29, 2020
Tropical cyclone Zeta developed over the Western Caribbean Sea on Saturday, October 24, and slowly moved west. The tropical storm emerged into the Southern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, October 27th. Zeta turned northwest and became a hurricane on Wednesday, October 28th. Zeta made landfall in southeast Louisiana late on Wednesday, then moved northeast into southwest Alabama late Wednesday night. ...
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2020
Hurricane Sally made landfall early Wednesday morning on September 16, near Gulf Shores, Alabama. Sally weakened quickly after moving inland and tracked northeast across southeast Alabama during the overnight hours on Wednesday, September 16th, and the morning hours on Thursday, September 17th.||The main impacts for Central Alabama were felt along and south of Interstate 85, where 4-8 inches of...
Tropical Storm — Oct 10, 2018
The center of Tropical Cyclone Michael come ashore as a high end category four hurricane just east of Panama City, Florida, during the early afternoon on Wednesday, October 10th. The southeast portions of Central Alabama were under a Tropical Storm warning and experienced heavy rainfall and wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph.
Flash Flood — Dec 24, 2015
A low level boundary across southeast Alabama became the focus for heavy rainfall and severe weather during the early morning hours of December 24th. As the boundary lifted northward, the focus for heavy rainfall and severe weather shifted into north central Alabama.
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 Bullock County, Alabama:
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 Bullock County, Alabama 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.