Enter any address in DeSoto County, Mississippi to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in DeSoto County, MS. Between 2024 and 2025, the county experienced numerous flash flood events, including significant multi-day events in April 2025 that produced heavy rain and record flooding. Another notable flash flood event occurred on December 28, 2024.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced a high number of claims, with an average payout of $26,029 and an average water depth of 6.2 feet. Properties in Zone X also have a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $24,451 and a notable average water depth of 7.8 feet. Residents in these zones, particularly those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
27 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
DeSoto County, Mississippi has recorded 85 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 72 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 (1973–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 28, 2021 |
| 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 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 3, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 27, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 15, 2011 |
| Hurricane Gustav | Hurricane | Aug 28, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2021 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 5, 2025
The front eventually sagged south back into the Mid-South during the early morning hours of April 5th. Strong low-level moisture transport into the frontal zone resulted in heavy rain and training storms across northern sections of the Mid-South, mainly north of I-40. A bow echo developed along and just south of the slowly advancing front. This feature crossed the entire forecast area producing...
Flash Flood — Apr 3, 2025
A significant multi-hazard, multi-day event occurred across the Mid-South from April 2, 2025, to April 8, 2025, producing 35 tornadoes, record flooding, and numerous reports of damaging winds and large hail. A large upper-level trough covered the Western U.S. in early April. A significant piece of energy rotated around the base of the trough and ejected into the Southern Plains and the Middle-...
Flash Flood — Dec 28, 2024
A potent shortwave trough rounded the base of a longwave trough through the Mid-South during the afternoon hours. In response to the waves, an upper level disturbance aimed for the Mid-South and crossed during the evening hours. Plentiful shear was available, but surface based instability was lacking to suppress storm development before reaching super intense levels. A bit of clearing skies, an...
Flash Flood — Jul 25, 2024
A broad upper trough extended from the Great Lakes to northeast Texas. An upper-level disturbance moving through the Mid-South ignited convection across the Memphis metropolitan area during the late morning hours on July 25, 2024. A very moist airmass was in place across the region with anomalous precipitable water values of over 2 inches. The thunderstorms were slow moving resulting in heavy r...
Flash Flood — Jan 3, 2023
A warm front lifted northward off the Gulf Coast, causing rapid moisture transport to the Mid-South. In addition, an upper-level trough and associated cold front approached the area. This led to showers in the afternoon and then severe thunderstorms that continued through the overnight hours. Damaging wind, hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding were the result.
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 DeSoto 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 DeSoto 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.