Enter any address in Covington County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event recorded in Covington County, AL over the past 30 years, with 19 such events noted. For example, strong storms caused flash flooding on May 17, 2024, and another instance of severe weather with heavy rain occurred on June 15, 2023. Tropical Storm Sally, which made landfall on September 16, 2020, also contributed to widespread flooding inland from the coast.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that Zone A, areas with higher flood risk, has accounted for the majority of claims, with an average payout of $6,745 and an average water depth of 2.9 feet. While Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X have fewer claims, their average payouts are significantly higher, suggesting substantial damage can occur even in areas with lower flood designations. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas prone to flash flooding or located near waterways, should pay close attention to flood risk.
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.
Covington County, Alabama has recorded 25 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 33 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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 5, 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 15, 2020 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 24, 2015 | 3.16M |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2012 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 17, 2024
Strong to severe storms moved across Alabama into the Florida Panhandle producing damaging wind gusts and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 15, 2023
Unusually strong wind shear combined with strong instability and numerous disturbances led to a very active period of severe weather through the month of June. Numerous reports of large hail and damaging winds were recorded along with a few tornadoes.
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2020
Hurricane Sally made landfall in Gulf Shores, AL at 5am on Wednesday, September 16th as a strong Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. Sally produced widespread wind, storm surge, and freshwater flooding across coastal AL and the western Florida Panhandle. Flood and wind damage also extended well inland into inland southwest Alabama and south central Alabama. Sally was a...
Tropical Storm — Sep 15, 2020
Hurricane Sally made landfall in Gulf Shores, AL at 5am on Wednesday, September 16th as a strong Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. Sally produced widespread wind, storm surge, and freshwater flooding across coastal AL and the western Florida Panhandle. Flood and wind damage also extended well inland into inland southwest Alabama and south central Alabama. Sally was a...
Flash Flood — May 28, 2018
A weak subtropical storm made landfall in the Florida panhandle during the day on the 28th and slowly moved north and northwest through portions of southwest Alabama during the night into the early morning on the 29th. Wind gusts were below tropical storm strength, however minor damage was observed along the storm's path. Minor coastal flooding was observed at the normally prone locations. The ...
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 Covington 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 Covington 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.