Enter any address in Houston County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Houston County, AL, with 66 occurrences recorded in the last 30 years. Other flood-related events include general floods (13), tropical storms (9), and hurricanes (2). Recent events highlight the impact of heavy rainfall, such as the considerable flash flooding in Houston County in February 2024, where nearly 7 inches of rain fell in a few hours. Peripheral effects from Hurricane Helene were also felt in southeast Alabama in September 2024.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims (85), with an average payout of $27,308 and an average water depth of 5.3 feet. Zone X also has a significant number of claims (67), with an average payout of $15,800 and an average water depth of 4.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay close attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
51 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Houston County, Alabama has recorded 90 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 66 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 28 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 |
| 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, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 2014 |
| 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 | Sep 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 14, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 12, 2024 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 12, 2024 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 18, 2022 | 0.00K |
Tropical Storm — Sep 26, 2024
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and a minimum central pressure of 938 mb (27.70 inches) at about 11:10 PM EDT on Thursday, September 26th, in Taylor County Florida just east of the Aucilla River. Helene quickly moved inland across Taylor and Madison Counties before moving into Lowndes County in South Central Georgia. The hurricane...
Flash Flood — Sep 14, 2024
Several showers and thunderstorms developed in association with the remnants of Hurricane Francine and a stalled frontal boundary. Several areas of rotation were detected, but no tornado touchdowns were reported. There was one report of a tree down in Walton county. In addition, heavy rainfall led to areas of flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Feb 12, 2024
A line of thunderstorms trained across parts of the tri-state area, bringing flash flooding to portions of southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. Considerable flash flooding occurred across Houston county, Alabama where rainfall amounts near 7 inches were measured in just a few hours. In Georgia, rainfall amounts around 5 inches were observed. For the Florida panhandle, rainfall amounts we...
Flash Flood — Apr 10, 2024
Clusters of thunderstorms moved across the tri-state area during the afternoon on April 10th. While most of the wind damage and significant flash flooding occurred across portions of northwest Florida and southern Georgia, there was a report of a tree blown down as well as some brief flash flooding in Houston County, AL as well.
Flash Flood — Mar 9, 2024
A line of thunderstorms moved through the tri-state area ahead of a cold front. Severe weather and flash flooding accompanied this line, mainly across southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia, although a few trees were also blown down in northwest Florida. One tornado was reported in Dale County, AL, and another tornado briefly occurred in northeast Leon County, FL extending into Jefferson count...
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 Houston 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 Houston 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.