Enter any address in Hale County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding in Hale County, AL, with 12 such events recorded in the last 30 years. Other flood-related events include general floods (6), tropical storms (3), and tropical depressions (2). For example, flash flooding occurred in July 2013 due to a southward-moving weather system, and remnants of Hurricane Isaac brought heavy rainfall and flash flooding in September 2012.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $7,229 and an average water depth of 3.4 feet. Properties in Zone Unknown also saw significant claims, averaging $2,495 with 1.2 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A and those in areas with unknown flood risk should pay particular attention to flood preparedness.
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.
Hale County, Alabama has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 23 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 (1973–2024)
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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Mar 25, 2021 |
| Hurricane Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 28, 2020 |
| Hurricane Sally | Hurricane | Sep 14, 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Apr 27, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 7, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 3, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 9, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 9, 2011 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2010 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2009 | 25.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Nov 9, 2009 | 1.00K |
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 — Apr 7, 2014
On Sunday, April 6, a low pressure system developed in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico in response to a longwave trough crossing the central United States. The surface low tracked northeastward into Tennessee, bringing a warm front northward across Central Alabama. Warm, moist air rode over the warm front, leading to development of a large rain shield to the north of the frontal boundary. This ...
Flash Flood — Jul 11, 2013
On Thursday, July 11th, a mesoscale convective system (MCS) developed across the Tennessee Valley and pushed southward into Central Alabama. New development along the western edge of the MCS developed southwestward and resulted in isolated flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 3, 2012
The remnants of Hurricane Issac brought heavy rainfall and flash flooding to Central Alabama during the first week of September. Hurricane Issac made landfall along the southeastern Louisiana coast late Tuesday, August 28 and slowly tracked northwestward through Louisiana and Arkansas for several days before turning to the east. The remnant upper level trough associated with Issac crossed Alaba...
Flash Flood — May 3, 2012
A slow-moving upper level low cross the Southeast during the first week of May. On Wednesday, the 2nd, and Thursday, the 3rd, impulses rotating around the low combined with increasing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to provide the right conditions for showers and thunderstorms across central Alabama. Most of the activity remained below severe limits. Several periods of heavy rain led to an iso...
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 Hale 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 Hale 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.