Enter any address in Fayette County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event recorded in Fayette County, AL over the last 30 years, with 15 occurrences. Tropical storms and depressions have also contributed to flood risk, with a total of three such events recorded in the same period. Recent examples include flash flooding associated with slow-moving thunderstorms on April 6, 2025, and heavy rainfall from a line of thunderstorms on February 23, 2022, which produced 2-3 inches of rain in the northwest portions of the county.
Residents in Fayette County should be aware of their specific flood risk, particularly those living in areas prone to flash flooding or near waterways that can experience rapid rises. Homeowners and real estate agents should consult flood zone maps to understand potential risks, especially for properties located in areas without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
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.
Fayette County, Alabama has recorded 18 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods. The county has received 21 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 (1974–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | Hurricane | Sep 22, 2024 |
| 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 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 |
| Hurricane Gustav | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2008 |
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 | Feb 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 17, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 8, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 20, 2011 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 9, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 18, 2009 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 6, 2009 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 6, 2025
Deep-layer ridging over the Southeast United States held up a trough over the Central United States for the first few days of April, leading to a prolonged and significant severe weather and flooding event from Texas to Ohio and West Virginia along a stalled boundary. As the ridge began to retreat eastward, a cold front slowly progressed through Central Alabama on April 6, with an all-hazards w...
Flash Flood — Feb 23, 2022
A line of thunderstorms ahead of a slow moving cold front produced periods of heavy rainfall over a several period over the northwest portions of central Alabama. Rainfall totals averaged 2-3 inches.
Flash Flood — Feb 17, 2022
A highly sheared and dynamic storm system produced numerous strong and severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours on February 17th. Several supercells developed along a pre-frontal trough, which produced a few tornadoes. Additionally, several rounds of heavy rain produced some flash flooding along and|north of I-20, and strong gradient winds ahead of the front caused scattered ...
Flash Flood — Jul 4, 2013
The first week of July 2013 was a wet one as a plume of tropical moisture streamed northward from the Gulf of Mexico, across the southeastern United States, and northeastward along the Appalachians. With a persistent mid level trough to its west and a ridge to its east, this stream of moisture continued for many days. Precipitable water values reached over two inches locally and after several d...
Flash Flood — May 8, 2012
On Tuesday, May 8, slow-moving clusters of thunderstorms and heavy rain developed ahead of an approaching cold front and moved into northwest central Alabama, producing flash flooding and isolated sub-severe wind damage.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Fayette 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 Fayette 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.