Enter any address in Clay County, Kentucky to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates the flood character of Clay County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 41 flash flood events and 26 flood events. Recent examples include heavy rains causing flash flooding in July 2022 and March 2021.
NFIP claims data shows that properties in Zone A, designated as high-risk flood areas, have accounted for the majority of claims (43), with an average payout of $9,268 and an average water depth of 0.7 feet. Properties in Zone X, considered moderate to low risk, have had fewer claims (8), with an average payout of $6,187 and an average water depth of 0.1 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk or located near waterways, should pay the most attention to flood preparedness.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
29 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clay County, Kentucky has recorded 67 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 41 flash floods and 26 river or area floods. The county has received 47 federal disaster declarations, 9 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1970–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 16, 2025 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 2025 |
| Remnants Of Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | May 21, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Mar 3, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 15, 2023 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2022 | 0.00K (3 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2022 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 27, 2021 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2022
Between July 25th and July 30th, 2022, several complexes of training thunderstorms developed south of I-64 and brought heavy rain, deadly flash flooding, and devastating river flooding to eastern Kentucky and central Appalachia. These thunderstorms, at times, caused rainfall rates in excess of 4/hr across complex terrain that led to widespread devastating impacts. While it did not rain continuo...
Flash Flood — Jul 5, 2022
Kentucky was experiencing warm and moist SW flow heading through the day on July 5, while flow in the mid and upper levels was more westerly. While no forcing mechanism was in place across the state )as far as low pressure center, shortwave, or frontal boundary) and the better severe weather concerns were concentrated well to our NW, the low level wind sheer and decent Cape values were enough t...
Flash Flood — Mar 28, 2021
A warm front lifted north into the state Saturday, allowing for an intensification of moisture advection into the area. This was then followed up by a passing cold front and associated cold front, both of which provided lift and helped provide heavy rains across the state. While instability was limited, there was some severe thunderstorms which produced hail during the morning hours of Saturday...
Flood — Feb 28, 2021
Several rounds of heavy rain moved across eastern Kentucky from late Friday, February 26th through early Monday, March 1st. The combination of all the heavy rainfall led to significant flooding across a good portion of central and east Kentucky. For some areas, this was the most significant flooding in the last 50 to 60 years, or more. FEMA estimates that this event cost $350-400 million doll...
Flash Flood — Feb 28, 2021
Several rounds of heavy rain moved across eastern Kentucky from late Friday, February 26th through early Monday, March 1st. The combination of all the heavy rainfall led to significant flooding across a good portion of central and east Kentucky. For some areas, this was the most significant flooding in the last 50 to 60 years, or more. FEMA estimates that this event cost $350-400 million doll...
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 Clay 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 Clay 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.