Enter any address in Walker County, Alabama to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Walker County. Between 2000 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 33 flash flood events, along with 3 general flood events and 4 tropical storm/depression events. For example, heavy rainfall contributed to flash flooding on March 1, 2024, and again on February 23, 2022, when rainfall totals averaged 2-3 inches in the northwest portions of the county.
Analysis of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims indicates that properties in Zone A, which typically lack a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), have experienced the most claims, averaging $6,913 per payout with an average water depth of 1.5 feet. Properties in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded also show a history of claims, with Zone X claims averaging a higher payout of $18,334, though with an average reported water depth of -3.9 feet. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near waterways that could experience flash flooding, should pay particular 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.
Walker County, Alabama has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 33 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Mar 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 3, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 26, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 25, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 14, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flood — Mar 1, 2024
A shortwave trough approaching the Mississippi Valley from the central Great Plains, along with a surface low in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico and stationary boundary along the Gulf Coast, contributed to widespread showers moving across Central Alabama during the morning hours of March 1. A ridge located over the East Coast promoted easterly surface winds across the area, with temperatures in...
Flash Flood — Feb 23, 2022
A line of thunderstorms ahead of a slow moving cold front produced periods of heavy rainfall over a several period over the northwest portions of central Alabama. Rainfall totals averaged 2-3 inches.
Flash Flood — Mar 31, 2021
A warm front moved pushed northward into north Central Alabama late on March 30th and into the early morning hours on March 31st. A low pressure area developed along the warm front and tracked from west to east across northern Alabama. This feature pooled instability just south of the front and added just enough shear for some rotating and organized storms. Subsequently, three weak and short-l...
Flash Flood — Oct 3, 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...
Flash Flood — Apr 12, 2020
An upper-level low over the southwest United States evolved into a negatively-tilted shortwave trough as it moved over the southeastern United States. A warm front steadily moved northward during the morning and afternoon hours on Sunday, April 12. This allowed an unstable air mass to move northward and overspread much of the region. At the same time, very strong wind shear developed over Alaba...
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 Walker 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 Walker 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.