Enter any address in Crenshaw County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event recorded in Crenshaw County, AL, with 17 occurrences in the last 30 years. Tropical storms and hurricanes have also impacted the area, with 3 tropical storm events and 2 hurricane events noted in the same period. For example, heavy rain from storms associated with an approaching cold front caused flooding on February 3, 2022. Later, Hurricane Sally, which made landfall on September 16, 2020, brought widespread freshwater flooding inland to south central Alabama.
While FEMA data shows only 2 claims in Zone A with an average payout of $0 and an average water depth of 0.0 ft, the historical event mix suggests a potential for various flood types. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those located in low-lying areas or near drainage paths, should remain aware of weather conditions. Those in proximity to waterways that may be affected by tropical systems should also pay close attention to flood advisories.
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.
Crenshaw County, Alabama has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 17 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 29 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 | Feb 3, 2022 | 50.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 15, 2020 | 71.00K |
| Flood | Aug 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 2, 2017 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Dec 24, 2015 | 135.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 15, 2009 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 14, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2008 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Feb 3, 2022
A very moist and unstable airmass developed ahead of an approaching cold front. Storms developed along the front and produced damaging wind gusts as they moved across southeast Mississippi and southwest Alabama. Heavy rain caused flooding across portions of the area.
Tropical Storm — Oct 28, 2020
Hurricane Zeta made landfall in southeast Louisiana during the late afternoon hours of Wednesday, October 28th as a strong category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. Zeta quickly raced northeast and moved across inland southeast Mississippi and inland southwest Alabama during the evening hours. Shortly after midnight, Thursday, October 29th, Zeta weakened to a tropical storm ...
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...
Flood — Aug 4, 2017
Slow moving thunderstorms produced very heavy rain which caused flooding across southwest 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 Crenshaw 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 Crenshaw 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.