Enter any address in Bolivar County, Mississippi to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Bolivar County, MS, with 52 recorded instances in the last 30 years. For example, isolated severe thunderstorms caused flash flooding on March 15, 2025, and strong to severe storms produced flash flooding on April 5-6, 2025.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $23,313 and an average water depth of 15.5 feet. Claims were also filed in Zone X, with an average payout of $27,660 and an average water depth of 9.1 feet, and Zone X_SHADED, which had the highest average payout of $64,252 with an average water depth of 0.2 feet.
Residents in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and X_SHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties located in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near waterways or in lower elevations, should be aware of potential flood impacts.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
21 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bolivar County, Mississippi has recorded 61 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 52 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 28, 2021 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 12, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 10, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 9, 2016 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 3, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 27, 2011 |
| Hurricane Gustav | Hurricane | Aug 28, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2025 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 15, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2022 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 14, 2022 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Apr 13, 2022 | 5.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Aug 30, 2021 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2021 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2021 | 2.10M |
Flash Flood — Jun 19, 2025
A typical summer pattern allowed for scattered afternoon storms. A few instances of damaging winds and localized flash flooding occurred.
Flash Flood — Mar 15, 2025
Isolated severe thunderstorms developed across portions of Mississippi in the overnight hours of March 14th. Coverage of severe storms increased into the morning of the 15th before a squall line developed and moved across the area.
Flash Flood — Apr 5, 2025
On the evening of April 5th into the morning of April 6th, strong to severe storms produced tornadoes, damaging winds and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2022
A slow moving thunderstorm on the evening of July 29th resulted in flash flooding in the city of Cleveland in Bolivar County.
Flash Flood — Dec 14, 2022
Severe thunderstorms moved across Mississippi during the evening and overnight hours of the 13th into the 14th, with flash flooding across areas of the Delta and several tornadoes. Severe storm coverage diminished during the night, but storms became severe again during the afternoon of the 14th as a cold front interacted with a warm and unstable air mass in the region. Tornadoes on the 14th wer...
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 Bolivar County, Mississippi:
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 Bolivar County, Mississippi 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.