Enter any address in Marshall County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Marshall County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 65 flash flood events, alongside 22 general flood events and 3 tropical storm events. Recent examples include flash flooding reported in May 2025 due to training thunderstorms, and in May 2024, when thunderstorms produced damaging winds and hail, leading to road blockages.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X have seen the most claims, with an average payout of $25,211 and an average water depth of 4.5 feet. Properties in Zone A also have claims, with an average payout of $16,462 and an average water depth of 1.7 feet. Residents in areas identified as Zone X or Zone A, and those without a confirmed Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
32 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Marshall County, Alabama has recorded 90 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 65 flash floods and 22 river or area floods. The county has received 29 federal disaster declarations, 4 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 |
| Severe Thunderstorms | Severe Storm | Apr 12, 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 24, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 6, 2021 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | May 4, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | 2.00K |
Flash Flood — May 28, 2025
Training thunderstorms produced some flash flooding over portions of northeastern Alabama during the morning hours on the 28th.
Flash Flood — May 27, 2024
A cluster of supercells developed around the Midnight hour and moved east as a line of thunderstorms in Tennessee dropped southeast. The two areas merged together and continued to move southeast. The thunderstorms produced damaging winds and large hail. Particularly hard hit was Jackson County where up to 3,000 customers were left without power. Power outages also affected 1,400 in Harvest in M...
Flood — Feb 16, 2023
Rainfall amounts of 2.5-4 fell over the course of a few hours on the evening of February 16th. Widespread flooding occurred across portions of Cullman, Marshall, and into portions of Jackson and Dekalb Counties. Parts of I-65 were shut down, and several water rescues occurred in Cullman County that evening thanks to thunderstorms repeatedly moving across these areas in a very warm and moist air...
Flash Flood — Feb 16, 2023
Rainfall amounts of 2.5-4 fell over the course of a few hours on the evening of February 16th. Widespread flooding occurred across portions of Cullman, Marshall, and into portions of Jackson and Dekalb Counties. Parts of I-65 were shut down, and several water rescues occurred in Cullman County that evening thanks to thunderstorms repeatedly moving across these areas in a very warm and moist air...
Flash Flood — Jun 7, 2022
Clusters of thunderstorms developed during the early afternoon hours in north Alabama. The thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds in Madison County. Flash flooding was also reported in Madison and Marshall Counties.
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 Marshall 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 Marshall 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.