Enter any address in Lee County, Arkansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lee County. Recent events include flash flooding on January 3, 2023, and April 13, 2022, both associated with severe weather systems that brought heavy rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the most claims over the last 30 years, with an average payout of $37,615. Properties in Zone A have also seen a significant number of claims, with an average water depth of 1.4 feet. Homeowners in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone A, as well as those in areas with unknown flood zone designations, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lee County, Arkansas has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 9 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 18 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 (1973–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2025 |
| Hurricane Laura | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 14, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 27, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 18, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jan 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 13, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 17, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 24, 2020 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Apr 18, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 21, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 21, 2013 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jan 3, 2023
A warm front lifted northward off the Gulf Coast, causing rapid moisture transport to the Mid-South. In addition, an upper-level trough and associated cold front approached the area. This led to showers in the afternoon and then severe thunderstorms that continued through the overnight hours. Damaging wind, hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding were the result.
Flash Flood — Apr 13, 2022
A shortwave moved into the Lower Mississippi Valley triggering numerous showers and thunderstorms across Arkansas during the morning hours of April 13, 2022. Storms eventually organized into a line that swept across the Mid-South. A strong low-level jet, large amounts of wind shear, and moderate amounts of instability supported severe thunderstorms across the Mid-South. Large hail, damaging win...
Flood — Feb 28, 2021
A cold front pushed into an unstable and very moist airmass to produce numerous showers and thunderstorms north of Interstate 40 during the afternoon of February 28th. Storms eventually evolved into a line and pushed southeast across the Mid-South. A few severe storms occurred. Heavy rainfall over already saturated soils resulting in some flash flooding.
Flood — Mar 17, 2021
A slow-moving warm front lifted north into the Mid-South during the morning hours of March 17th with numerous showers and thunderstorms. Heavy rain produced some flash flooding and there were a couple of severe weather reports along with a couple of damaging lightning strikes. The front stalled across the area during the day with southern parts of the Mid-South, especially northeast Mississippi...
Flash Flood — Mar 24, 2020
Heavy rain moved into east-central Arkansas during the early morning hours of March 24, 2020. A couple of inches of rain fell resulting in flash flooding in Lee County.
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 Lee County, Arkansas:
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 Lee County, Arkansas 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.