Enter any address in Union County, Kentucky to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Ohio and Green Rivers is the dominant flood character for Union County. Between 2015 and 2024, NOAA data recorded 112 flood events and 18 flash flood events, with one recorded fatality from flash flooding. Recent events include prolonged flooding along the Green River in early March 2025, and major flooding impacting structures in Rumsey and lower Calhoun in February 2025 due to heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims show that while Zone A areas have had more claims, Zone X areas have experienced higher average payouts and greater average water depths. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, particularly those near rivers and waterways, should be aware of potential flood risks. Additionally, homeowners in Zone X who have experienced significant water depth and payouts should also remain vigilant.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
48 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Union County, Kentucky has recorded 130 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 112 river or area floods. The county has received 28 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, 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 |
| 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 |
| Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 27, 2021 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 3, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 12, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jul 19, 2025
As high pressure slowly crept northward towards the Quad State region, ridging remained over the middle Mississippi River Valley. A slow-moving MCS moved through the northeastern half of the Quad State midday to near sunset. CAPE rose to 2000-3000J/kg but shear remained limited in Western Kentucky. Extremely high moisture content with precipitable water values of 2.2in resulted in torrential ra...
Flood — Feb 12, 2025
Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall over the Green, Tennessee, and Ohio Valleys from January 31st through February 15th resulted in rising water levels on the Ohio and Green Rivers. The Green River took the brunt of the impact with major flooding from the Island area through Calhoun to near Jewel City. Numerous structures sustained flood damage in Rumsey and lower Calhoun. The Green River at Calh...
Flood — Feb 10, 2025
Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall over the Green, Tennessee, and Ohio Valleys from January 31st through February 15th resulted in rising water levels on the Ohio and Green Rivers. The Green River took the brunt of the impact with major flooding from the Island area through Calhoun to near Jewel City. Numerous structures sustained flood damage in Rumsey and lower Calhoun. The Green River at Calh...
Flood — Mar 1, 2025
A prolonged flooding event on the Green, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers, that began in the middle of February, continued into the first week of March. The Green River continued to see the worst flooding with moderate flooding continuing near Calhoun. Minor flooding mainly of bottomland continued at Paradise, Shawneetown, Olmsted, Cairo, and Hickman. Heavy rainfall in the middle of February was th...
Flood — Jan 30, 2024
Well above normal rainfall along the Ohio River Valley in January led to rising rivers, with flood stage exceeded slightly across the river from Newburgh Lock and Dam, Mount Vernon, and Shawneetown by the end of the month, continuing into early February. Minor flooding resulted in very limited impacts in bottomland areas.
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 Union 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 Union 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.