Enter any address in Sharkey County, Mississippi to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flood recorded in Sharkey County over the past 30 years, with 18 such events documented. Other flood types include hurricanes and general flooding. Recent events include localized flooding in September 2021 due to heavy rain from Post-Tropical Cyclone Nicholas, and widespread flash flooding in January 2020 following a warm front that brought 2 to 6 inches of rain to saturated ground.
National Flood Insurance Program data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $13,815 and an average water depth of 8.7 feet. While Zone X_Unshaded and Zone X have fewer claims, their average payouts are higher, suggesting potential for significant damage even with shallower water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in other flood zones, should pay close attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Sharkey County, Mississippi has recorded 22 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 26 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 (1971–2026)
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 | Mar 14, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Mar 24, 2023 |
| Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 28, 2021 |
| Hurricane Delta | Hurricane | Oct 7, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 10, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 22, 2019 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 3, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Sep 17, 2021 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 14, 2020 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 14, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 22, 2018 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 6, 2014 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 24, 2013 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 10, 2013 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 15, 2011 | 2.00K |
| Flood | May 8, 2011 | 50.00K |
Flood — Sep 17, 2021
As Post-Tropical Cyclone Nicholas drifted over northern Louisiana, showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rain across portions of Mississippi. Some of the storms produced localized flooding.
Flash Flood — Jan 14, 2020
A warm front was situated across southern Mississippi during the evening of January 13th. This, combined with a passing disturbance and anomalous moisture, supported numerous thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that produced widespread rainfall between 2 and 6 inches with the heavies corridor right across the central portion of the forecast area. This resulted in widespread flash flooding across t...
Flash Flood — Sep 26, 2018
As a cold front moved through the region, ample moisture was present for showers and thunderstorms to develop. Many of these storms trained across central Mississippi and over the same locations. This resulted in significant flash flooding over portions of the area.
Flash Flood — Feb 22, 2018
A cold front stalled across the western portions of the ArkLaMiss region. Ahead of this, a few storms produced hail and damaging winds. As the front remained stalled, several disturbances moved along it and brought heavy rainfall to the region. This prolonged period of rain resulted in flash flooding across mainly the Delta.
Flash Flood — Apr 6, 2014
A cold front moved through the region on April 4th and stalled along the northern Gulf Coast. Over the next several days, moisture increased over the region ahead of a strong upper level system. Beginning in the early morning hours of the 6th, bands of showers and thunderstorms moved north across the ArkLaMiss region. This continued through the day as heavy rain fell over some already saturated...
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 Sharkey 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 Sharkey 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.