Enter any address in Jefferson County, Kentucky to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Jefferson County, KY. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 164 flash flood events and 69 flood events. Recent examples include widespread rainfall causing ponding on Louisville streets in October 2025, leading to stalled vehicles and road closures. Similar conditions were noted in April 2025 due to a stalled cold front and severe thunderstorms.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $20,287 and an average water depth of 4.9 feet. Properties in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED also show significant claims, with average payouts of $11,634 and $10,321 respectively, and average water depths around 1.5 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas with documented flood history or located near waterways, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
132 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Jefferson County, Kentucky has recorded 233 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 164 flash floods and 69 river or area floods. The county has received 25 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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2024 |
| 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, 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 | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 7, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2025
On July 17th, a west to east oriented cold front dropped southeast from the Midwest and stalled along the Ohio River. Multiple waves of convection along the front continued moving west to east across central Kentucky before the front lifted back north on July 20th. Some isolated flooding issues and downed trees were observed in multiple counties.
Flash Flood — Jul 17, 2025
On July 17th, a west to east oriented cold front dropped southeast from the Midwest and stalled along the Ohio River. Multiple waves of convection along the front continued moving west to east across central Kentucky before the front lifted back north on July 20th. Some isolated flooding issues and downed trees were observed in multiple counties.
Flash Flood — Oct 7, 2025
As a couple of cold fronts moved through the Lower Ohio Valley, widespread rainfall fell across north central Kentucky. This resulted in ponding water on city streets in Louisville and Lexington. Several people stalled vehicles as they drove into the water, and some streets were closed due to the high water. One place in Spencer County had water over a roadway.
Flash Flood — Apr 4, 2025
On the night of April 2nd, 2025, a cold front approached the lower Ohio Valley. Along and ahead of the cold front, numerous supercells developed over southern Illinois and western Kentucky. These storms tracked eastward and occasionally grew upscale into a QLCS with bowing segments. Storms lasted all night and into the morning hours, as the cold front began to stall over the lower Ohio Valley. ...
Flash Flood — Apr 3, 2025
On the night of April 2nd, 2025, a cold front approached the lower Ohio Valley. Along and ahead of the cold front, numerous supercells developed over southern Illinois and western Kentucky. These storms tracked eastward and occasionally grew upscale into a QLCS with bowing segments. Storms lasted all night and into the morning hours, as the cold front began to stall over the lower Ohio Valley. ...
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, 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 Jefferson 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.