Enter any address in Escambia County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving storms is the most frequent type of flood event in Escambia County, Alabama, with 43 occurrences recorded in the last 30 years. For example, storms in April 2025 brought 8 to 12 inches of rain to parts of the region, causing significant flooding and damaging approximately 100 homes in Baldwin County. Tropical Storm Claudette also contributed to flash flooding in June 2021 as it moved across south central Alabama.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with 217 claims averaging $41,743 and an average water depth of 2.8 feet. While Zone X, which includes areas with moderate flood risk, has had fewer claims (63), the average payout was $21,409 with a higher average water depth of 3.1 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and coastal Zone V, should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
18 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Escambia County, Alabama has recorded 53 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 43 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 27 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 (1973–2024)
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, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Apr 27, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 15, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 5, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 5, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Apr 23, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 15, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 1, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 6, 2025
Slow moving storms developed across Mobile and Baldwin county and become stationary. Some areas received 8 to 12 inches of rain causing severe flooding in parts of Mobile and Baldwin counties. Around 100 homes were damaged by flooding in Baldwin County.
Flash Flood — Jun 19, 2021
Potential Tropical Cyclone Claudette moved west of the Alabama coastal waters on the evening of June 18th, 2021. Claudette was declared a Tropical Storm and made landfall in southeast Louisiana during the early morning hours of June 19th. Claudette then turned northeast across southeast Mississippi and across south central Alabama during the morning on Saturday June 19th.||Tropical Storm Claude...
Flash Flood — Oct 5, 2021
The combination of a stalled front and very slow moving upper level low combined with very deep Gulf moisture to generate rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 12 inches fell across the area and led to numerous reports of flooding. Significant flash flooding was reported in parts of Escambia County AL, particularly from Brewton east to the Damascus area. The Murder Creek...
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 — Apr 23, 2020
A strong spring storm system moved across southern states. High values of wind shear and instability combined to generate numerous severe thunderstorms that produced tornadoes and wind damage.
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 Escambia 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 Escambia 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.