Enter any address in Washington County, Mississippi to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event recorded in Washington County, MS over the past 30 years, with 59 occurrences. Other flood-related events include 6 general floods, 3 hurricanes, 2 tropical depressions, and 1 tropical storm. Recent events include flash flooding on April 5-6, 2025, and general flooding on January 24, 2024, both associated with severe weather.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with 1,275 claims averaging $20,441 and an average water depth of 7.6 feet. Claims were also filed in Zone X_UNSHADED (123 claims, average $15,033, 3.2 ft water depth) and Zone X (103 claims, average $25,006, 2.4 ft water depth). Properties located in Zone A, or areas with lower flood protection standards, may warrant the most attention regarding flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
40 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Washington County, Mississippi has recorded 71 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 59 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 30 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 (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 |
| 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, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 22, 2019 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 9, 2016 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 3, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 25, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Mar 25, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jan 24, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 13, 2022 | 30.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Aug 30, 2021 | 25.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 27, 2020 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2020 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 14, 2020 | 2.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Oct 10, 2020 | 20.00K |
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 — Mar 25, 2024
As a low pressure system moved across the country, strong to severe thunderstorms developed and moved across portions of Mississippi. These storms produced damaging wind gusts, hail, flooding rainfall, and a tornado.
Flood — Mar 25, 2024
As a low pressure system moved across the country, strong to severe thunderstorms developed and moved across portions of Mississippi. These storms produced damaging wind gusts, hail, flooding rainfall, and a tornado.
Flood — Jan 24, 2024
With an upper-level trough of low pressure situated over Central Plains and a very moist air mass extending north through the Mississippi River Valley, training showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rain and flooding over parts of Mississippi.
Flash Flood — Dec 13, 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 Washington 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 Washington 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.