Enter any address in Hancock County, Kentucky to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Hancock County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 21 flash flood events and 10 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding reported on August 14, 2020, due to heavy rainfall from a stationary front, and urban flooding issues on September 3, 2020, caused by heavy rainfall associated with a cold front.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A, which typically do not have a defined Base Flood Elevation (BFE), have experienced claims. In Zone A, there have been 8 claims with an average payout of $5,286 and an average water depth of 0.1 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding and those located in Zone A should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hancock County, Kentucky has recorded 31 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 21 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1996–2026)
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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Mar 3, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 6, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 21, 2018 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 25, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 24, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 22, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 1, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 29, 2023
Surface high pressure was over the Lower Ohio Valley, but with an upper ridge centered over the CONUS, northwest flow moved several waves of convection through central Kentucky. This resulted in multiple wind damage and hail reports with limited flash flooding reports. A barn fire was also started by a lightning strike.
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2020
During this period, a stationary front extended near the Ohio River. This served as a focus for the development of isolated severe thunderstorms, but the main event was heavy rainfall that broke out during the early morning of August 14th. This rain produced areas of flash flooding in multiple counties.
Flash Flood — Sep 3, 2020
Early on September 2nd, a couple of cold fronts with embedded lows headed south towards central Kentucky. The first of these front passed through Kentucky on the 2nd. This brought isolated severe wind damage and flooding, but as the second low/cold front moved through on the 3rd, heavy rainfall caused urban flooding issues across 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 central Kentucky 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. The Ohio River a...
Flash Flood — Feb 24, 2018
A stalled frontal boundary interacting with highly anomalous moisture from the Gulf of Mexico interacted with multiple weather systems that brought widespread heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms to central Kentucky February 24 through the early morning hours February 25. A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for Jefferson County, KY including Louisville metro. There were over 50 water rescues ...
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 Hancock 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 Hancock 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.