Enter any address in Lowndes County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flood recorded in Lowndes County over the past 30 years, with 16 such events documented. This includes instances like the flash flooding that occurred on February 3-4, 2022, when 4-6 inches of rain fell in a three-hour period, and the extensive flash flooding associated with a stationary upper-level low on October 4, 2021. Tropical storms and depressions have also impacted the county, with 5 such events recorded in the same timeframe.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $14,791 and an average water depth of 3.3 feet. While Zone X_Unshaded properties have had fewer claims, one claim averaged $10,632 with no reported water depth. Residents 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.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lowndes County, Alabama has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 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, 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 | Feb 3, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 4, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 20, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 23, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2011 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 10, 2009 | 15.00K |
Flash Flood — Feb 3, 2022
A slow moving cold front moved through Central Alabama during the afternoon and overnight hours on February 3-4. A supercell thunderstorm developed in far eastern Mississippi and produced three EF2 tornadoes as it moved across west Alabama. Additional storms produced 2 EF0 tornadoes in Elmore County. A line of storms stalled along and south of the Interstate 85 corridor, resulting in a period ...
Flash Flood — Oct 4, 2021
An upper level trough just west of the Mississippi River on October 3rd become stationary and evolved into a closed upper low by October 5th. The closed upper low remained nearly stationary for 48 hours and before finally lifting northward on October 7th. This system brought a variety of severe weather across Central Alabama over a five day period, including wind damage, large hail and extensiv...
Tropical Storm — Oct 29, 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 — Jun 22, 2017
As Tropical Cyclone Cindy moved onshore along the Texas and Louisiana state line, feeder bands on the east side of Cindy developed over central Alabama. The feeder bands produced several modes of severe weather, including tornadoes, straight line winds, and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 20, 2017
A very moist air mass surged northward into central Alabama during the day on May 20th. Precipitable water values rose above 2 inches and surface dewpoints climbed into the lower 70s. An upper level trough approached the area from the west and provided the necessary lift to produce widespread showers and thunderstorms. A few severe storms produced wind damage, but flash flooding was the domin...
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 Lowndes 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 Lowndes 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.