Enter any address in Knox County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Knox County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 160 flood events and 43 flash flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in Oaktown on July 27, 2025, and widespread flash flooding across central Indiana, exacerbating creek and river flooding, on April 5, 2025.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced a significant number of claims with an average water depth of 6.9 feet. However, properties in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED have also seen claims with higher average payouts, suggesting potential risk even outside of high-risk flood zones. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
52 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Knox County, Indiana has recorded 203 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 43 flash floods and 160 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1979–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 12, 2008 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 30, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 1, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 21, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Sep 20, 2002 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Aug 4, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2023 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Mar 3, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2022 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Oct 15, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 7, 2019 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Feb 7, 2019 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Feb 24, 2018 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2025
Slow moving thunderstorms moved across Knox county during the early evening hours of July 27th causing flash flooding in the town of Oaktown.
Flash Flood — Apr 5, 2025
The final round of rain in a stretch of 4 days brought rain amounts of 2-4.5 inches of rain to central Indiana in addition to the 3-5 inches that had fallen. This led to additional widespread flash flooding and exacerbated ongoing creek and river flooding to a point that many main stem rivers ended up reaching major flood stage.
Flood — Aug 4, 2025
During the late afternoon and early evening of the 4th, slow moving thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall and flooding to portions of west-central and southwest central Indiana. Flooding was most significant in southeastern Vigo County near Blackhawk where a video showed flash flooding of a field and nearby road. Later in the day, flash flooding also occurred in Daviess County and Lawrence Co...
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2023
Rotating supercell thunderstorms over far southwestern central Indiana on the late evening of the 6th transitioned into a squall line that continued into very early on the 7th. Intense rain rates falling within a 3 hour period, produced locally very heavy rainfall, which was focused on northern portions of Knox, Daviess and Martin Counties, where locally 2.50 to 4.50 inches fell with flash flo...
Flood — Mar 3, 2023
A record breaking low pressure system impacted Indiana on March 3rd initially bringing rain and strong to damaging gradient winds to the area. During the early afternoon hours, a weakening area of storms moved into southern Indiana and caused isolated damaging winds gusts while the gradient winds continued to gradually increase causing additional tree damage and power outages. Across northern...
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 Knox 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 Knox 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.