Enter any address in Nelson County, Kentucky to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is a significant concern in Nelson County, KY. Between 2015 and 2025, NOAA data recorded 63 flood events and 27 flash flood events, resulting in five fatalities. Recent events include flash flooding on June 15, 2025, and April 4, 2025, associated with stalled fronts and severe thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A, which are typically mapped in areas of higher flood risk, have experienced the most claims. These claims averaged $34,324 with an average water depth of 3.4 feet. Properties in Zone X, representing moderate to minimal flood risk, also had claims, averaging $34,451 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas with a history of flooding or located near waterways, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
26 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Nelson County, Kentucky has recorded 90 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 27 flash floods and 63 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 3 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, 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, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Mar 3, 2023 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 12, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 1, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 10.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 15, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 25, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 22, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 15, 2025
Split upper-level flow set up over the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys for several days between June 15th and 17th, 2025. Upper low pressure became cut off, with a surface stationary front meandering back and forth across the lower Ohio Valley. In the vicinity of the surface front, a moist and unstable environment was present, with precipitable water values near 2 inches. Each afternoon, scattered...
Flood — Jun 15, 2025
Split upper-level flow set up over the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys for several days between June 15th and 17th, 2025. Upper low pressure became cut off, with a surface stationary front meandering back and forth across the lower Ohio Valley. In the vicinity of the surface front, a moist and unstable environment was present, with precipitable water values near 2 inches. Each afternoon, scattered...
Flash Flood — Apr 5, 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 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 — Jun 4, 2024
As a warm front moved northeast through the region. Training heavy rain showers caused some isolated ponding and flooding issues as gusty winds knocked some limbs out of trees. One falling branch caused a power pole to snap in Oldham County.
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 Nelson 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 Nelson 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.