Enter any address in Martin County, Kentucky to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding and general flooding events have both been significant in Martin County over the last 30 years, with 31 flash flood events and 29 flood events recorded. Recent examples include isolated flooding due to high streams on July 15, 2023, and flash flooding reported on April 2, 2025, associated with a strong convective squall line.
Analysis of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims shows a substantial number of claims in zones with unknown flood risk, averaging over $6,900 per payout. Properties located in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED have also experienced a notable number of claims, with significantly higher average payouts and water depths compared to Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X_SHADED, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay particular attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Martin County, Kentucky has recorded 60 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 31 flash floods and 29 river or area floods. The county has received 37 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 (1967–2026)
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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jul 26, 2022 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 15, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 1, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 23, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2017 | 0.50K |
| Flood | May 1, 2016 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 4, 2025
On the afternoon of the 2nd a strong surface low was located over the MN/WI area, with a warm front extending southwest through the OH valley, and a trailing cold front extending SSE through the Ozarks. By 00Z (the evening of the 2nd), a strong convective squall line had developed across the Ohio and Mississippi Valley which slowly continued east through the evening. By early morning on the 3rd...
Flood — Jul 15, 2023
As a cold front approached from the west throughout the day, showers and storms were on tap for portions of eastern Kentucky. While these storms did not become severe or cause much impact from the winds or hail, they did put down some heavy rains. This led to 2 isolated reports of flooding in both Martin and Knott counties due to streams running high.
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 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 — May 6, 2022
A warm front was in place across the state during the morning hours on May 6th, setting the stage for increased moisture and warm air into the region. By the afternoon, a nearby low pressure system began to occlude, furthering the lift and instability across the state. Showers and thunderstorms developed across much of the region throughout the day, becoming strong to severe by mid-day. Floodin...
Flood — Aug 1, 2022
A midlevel shortwave trough was situated over the Upper Midwest Sunday night (31st) into Monday morning (1st). At the surface, a strong occluded low was also present. From this low and occlusion, a warm front extended to the southeast, lifting through the Commonwealth during the same time frame. A MCS developed in the Upper Mississippi Valley and continued to push southeast towards the Commonwe...
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 Martin 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 Martin 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.