Enter any address in Sumter County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Sumter County, AL, with 18 such events recorded in the last 30 years. For example, heavy rainfall in July 2023 led to significant flooding after 6 to 8 inches of rain fell in a three-hour period. Another flash flood event in February 2020 produced rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches across the region. Tropical cyclones have also impacted the county, including Tropical Storm Zeta in October 2020.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $21,880 and an average water depth of -8.3 feet. While Zone V and Zone X have had fewer claims, Zone A properties show a history of more significant water intrusion. Homeowners in Zone A, and those located in areas prone to flash flooding from heavy rainfall, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
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.
Sumter County, Alabama has recorded 30 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 7 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 (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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | Jul 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 10, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 23, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2009 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2009 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Nov 9, 2009 | 1.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Aug 23, 2008 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2023
A moist and unstable airmass was present over southwest Alabama during the morning hours with PWATs near 2.5 inches. Slow moving thunderstorms developed during the early morning hours over Sumter County. Significant flooding occurred with radar estimated rainfall amounts of 6 to 8 inches fell over a three hour period. Additional storms developed on July 14th and produced localized flooding in ...
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 — Aug 25, 2020
A band of slow moving thunderstorms produced localized heavy rainfall across Sumter County.
Flash Flood — Feb 10, 2020
Anomalously high PWAT's with values above 1.5 inches and deep southwest flow combined to produce favorable conditions for heavy rainfall across north Alabama. The likelihood of training cells prompted WPC to issue a high risk for excessive rainfall for February 10th. Rainfall totals averaged 2-4 inches across north Alabama with some locations along the|I-20 corridor around 5 inches.
Flash Flood — Mar 23, 2012
An upper level closed low moved across Missouri during the day on March 23. Several shortwaves moving around the base of the trough, traversed across central Alabama. The shortwaves created enough lift to sustain a line of convection that moved through portions of central Alabama during the morning and afternoon hours. Heavy rainfall led to flooding in some areas, and there was one tornado that...
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 Sumter 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 Sumter 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.