Enter any address in Clark County, Kentucky to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Clark County, KY. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 34 flash flood events compared to 7 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in July 2021, which caused destruction and a fatality in Carlisle, and further flash flooding events in October 2021 due to atmospheric conditions conducive to severe weather.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A, which have a high flood risk, have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $22,464 and an average water depth of 4.4 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED also show a history of claims, averaging $10,983 in payouts with an average water depth of 0.9 feet. Homeowners and real estate agents should pay particular attention to properties located in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED, as these areas have demonstrated a higher frequency and severity of flood events.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clark County, Kentucky has recorded 41 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 34 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 27 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 (1974–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 2025 |
| Remnants Of Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Mar 3, 2023 |
| Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 27, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 8, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 7, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 9, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 4, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 2, 2010 | 100.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2021
Scattered thunderstorms, ahead of a could front, drifted south through southern Indiana and the Bluegrass region of Kentucky in an unstable environment. Some of these storms became severe causing isolated tree damage and flash flooding in Kentucky counties. The most severe flooding was in Carlisle, Kentucky after heavy rainfall continued falling over the same area. Several buildings and vehicle...
Flash Flood — Oct 7, 2021
Central Kentucky was located in the warm sector ahead of a surface low to the west, a west to east oriented warm front to the north, and a north to south oriented cold front to the southwest. Moderate instability and shear from strong southern flow took advantage of the added Gulf of Mexico moisture. This produced thunderstorms that caused isolated severe wind damage and flash flooding over the...
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2021
Early on July 1st, there was a moist unstable air mass over southern Indiana and central Kentucky. Farther north in Indiana, a west to east oriented cold front was working its way south. This resulted in heavy rainfall and area flash flooding over central Kentucky as the front moved through the region. A Flash Flood Watch was in place before the event.
Flash Flood — May 19, 2020
May 18, the Lower Ohio Valley was primed with a moist atmosphere that was in place from southerly surface flow from the Gulf of Mexico, and as a cold front moved through the region, severe thunderstorms caused tree damage and isolated flooding. On the 19th, the flooding became more widespread as heavy rain was produced from outflow boundaries remaining in the region from the previous day's storms.
Flash Flood — Sep 9, 2018
On September 5, 2018, the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon moved north from the Gulf of Mexico. It carried copious amounts of moisture as it continued to rotate while slowly moving north. In Kentucky, the outer bands of the system brought showers and thunderstorms that produced isolated wind damage September 5 and 6. By September 8th, Gordon was centered in southeast Missouri with much of i...
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 Clark County, Kentucky:
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 Clark County, Kentucky 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.