Enter any address in Jefferson County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is a significant concern in Jefferson County, IN. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 83 flood events and 30 flash flood events, with one fatality attributed to flash flooding. For example, heavy rainfall caused flash flooding on September 3, 2022, and isolated flooding occurred on June 18, 2021, due to severe thunderstorms. Significant river flooding also occurred in February 2018, following prolonged heavy rainfall across the Ohio River basin.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $25,552 and an average water depth of 5.6 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X_SHADED also show a history of claims, with average payouts of $12,471 and $9,473 respectively, and average water depths around 3.5 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas designated Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X_SHADED, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Jefferson County, Indiana has recorded 113 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 30 flash floods and 83 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1968–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 30, 2025 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Feb 14, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Feb 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 12, 2008 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 30, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2022 | 200.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 25, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 23, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2015 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 3, 2022
During the afternoon and evening hours of September 3rd, a combination of a moist, unstable environment and relatively light steering level winds over the Ohio Valley facilitated the development of slow moving showers and thunderstorms which produced heavy rainfall across southern Indiana. Several broken lines of convection drifted from west to east across the region, spurred on by 1000-1500 J/...
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2021
During a warm summer day with high pressure over the region, a severe thunderstorm was able to breakout in the high instability capped environment. The result was isolated wind damage and flooding in Jefferson County.
Flood — Feb 25, 2018
Repeated rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall across the entire Ohio River basin totaled between 8 to 9 inches across southern Indiana from February 15 to February 28. These totals were generally 7+ inches, or 200 to 400% of normal values for mid to late February. The large areal extent of the excessive rainfall led to significant rises on area rivers, including the Ohio River. This resulted in...
Flood — Feb 23, 2018
Repeated rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall across the entire Ohio River basin totaled between 8 to 9 inches across southern Indiana from February 15 to February 28. These totals were generally 7+ inches, or 200 to 400% of normal values for mid to late February. The large areal extent of the excessive rainfall led to significant rises on area rivers, including the Ohio River. This resulted in...
Flood — Mar 1, 2018
After widespread heavy rainfall and flooding during the middle and later portions of February, many rivers remained swollen and above flood stage through the first part of March.
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 Jefferson County, Indiana:
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 Jefferson County, Indiana 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.