Enter any address in Pickens County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding in Pickens County, AL, with 14 such events recorded in the last 30 years. For example, rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches contributed to flash flooding on March 1, 2015. Heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of Hurricane Isaac also caused flash flooding in the county during September 2012.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $10,311 and an average water depth of 2.9 feet. While Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X have fewer claims, their average payouts are higher, with Zone X payouts averaging $27,512 for 1.5 feet of water. Residents in Zone A, as well as those in other flood zones, should be aware of their specific flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Pickens County, Alabama has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 |
| 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 | Apr 28, 2014 |
| Hurricane Isaac | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2012 |
| 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 | Jan 3, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 5, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 27, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2009 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 6, 2009 | 50.00K (2 deaths) |
| Tropical Depression | Aug 23, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 29, 2005 | 500K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2005 | — |
Flash Flood — Jan 3, 2015
A surface low tracked northeast across northern Mississippi and northwest Alabama Saturday afternoon and evening. An upper level disturbance moving out of the southwest United States providing ample lift and shear increased as the surface low deepened. The frontal system progressed slowly eastward, and this allowed for widespread rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches.
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...
Flood — Sep 5, 2011
A tropical depression developed in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, September 1 and strengthened as it remained nearly stationary becoming Tropical Storm Lee Friday afternoon, September 2. Tropical Storm Lee slowly moved northward toward the central Louisiana coast, eventually making landfall Sunday, September 4 near Vermillion Bay, LA, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 45 mph. Rain bands sp...
Flash Flood — Sep 5, 2011
A tropical depression developed in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, September 1 and strengthened as it remained nearly stationary becoming Tropical Storm Lee Friday afternoon, September 2. Tropical Storm Lee slowly moved northward toward the central Louisiana coast, eventually making landfall Sunday, September 4 near Vermillion Bay, LA, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 45 mph. Rain bands sp...
Flash Flood — Feb 27, 2009
A slow moving cold front brought an extended period of severe weather and heavy rain, that lasted about 24 hours. The storms produced damaging winds, large hail, flooding rains, and at least 4 tornadoes.
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 Pickens 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 Pickens 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.