Enter any address in Dallas County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event recorded in Dallas County, AL, with 15 occurrences in the last 30 years. Other recorded events include tropical storms and tropical depressions. For example, heavy rainfall from thunderstorms caused street flooding near Selma in May 2025, and sub-tropical storm Alberto brought heavy rainfall to the area in May 2018.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $10,063 and an average water depth of 3.5 feet. While Zone X has fewer claims, it has the highest average payout ($26,828) and the deepest average water depth (5.8 feet). Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood zone designations, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Dallas County, Alabama has recorded 21 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 27 federal disaster declarations, 2 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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jan 12, 2023 |
| Hurricane Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 28, 2020 |
| Hurricane Sally | Hurricane | Sep 14, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Nate | Hurricane | Oct 6, 2017 |
| Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sep 8, 2017 |
| Hurricane Isaac | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2012 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 14, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 9, 2011 | 75.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Nov 9, 2009 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2009 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Aug 23, 2008 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — May 10, 2025
An upper low positioned over Mississippi brought widespread rain and thunderstorms across the area, generally from south to north. A couple instances of training thunderstorms brought several inches of rain to the Tuscaloosa and Selma areas, resulting in areas of street flooding. One thunderstorm just east of Selma briefly produced quarter-size hail in Burnsville.
Tropical Storm — Oct 28, 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 — May 30, 2018
Sub-tropical storm Alberto made landfall in the western Florida Panhandle Monday evening, Monday May 28th. The cyclone advanced northward into Central Alabama during the overnight hours and into Tuesday, May 29th. It was downgraded to a depression as it entered the southern counties of Central Alabama. The depression produced sustained winds of 25-35 mph across Central Alabama along with heav...
Flash Flood — Apr 14, 2018
An upper level trough moving across the Middle Mississippi River Valley Region took on a negative tilt and produced a QLCS that impacted the Central Gulf Coast States. The QLCS produced sporadic wind damage as it moved across Central Alabama. Precipitable water values were abnormally high and the slow moving system produced storm totals of 3-4 inches across areas west of I-65. Localized storm...
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2013
A slow moving cold front moved into the region on Wednesday, August 14, providing a focus for widespread rain and thunderstorms. A mid level trough axis remained to the west of Central Alabama, allowing moisture to stream northward from the Gulf of Mexico. As the front stalled over the area, continuous moisture streaming northeastward interacted with several mid level short waves rotating aroun...
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 Dallas 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 Dallas 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.