Enter any address in Winston County, Mississippi to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding in Winston County, MS. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 33 flash flood events. Recent examples include a significant flash flood on July 13, 2023, which caused widespread road and structure flooding, and another on July 8, 2023, from scattered thunderstorms. Other flood-related events in the county include hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical depressions.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest average water depths and payouts, with an average of 12.1 feet of water and $23,897 per claim. Claims in Zone X also show substantial average payouts of $71,649, with an average water depth of 0.8 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, and those in Zone X with significant claim payouts, should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
25 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Winston County, Mississippi has recorded 39 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 33 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 28, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 28, 2014 |
| Hurricane Isaac | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2012 |
| 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 | Jul 13, 2023 | 2.50M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2023 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 30, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2021 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 25, 2021 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jun 10, 2021 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2021 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 5, 2021 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 19, 2020 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 12, 2020 | 3.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2023
A significant flash flood event unfolded during the early morning hours of July 13th into the late morning and midday. A corridor of 6 to 9 inches fell, with locally higher amounts, roughly from Ackerman to Louisville to DeKalb MS. Some of the most impacted areas were across Choctaw and Winston Counties. Multiple roads were flooded, washed out or closed. Many structures were flooded as well alo...
Flash Flood — Jul 8, 2023
On July 8th, scattered thunderstorms, largely fueled by daytime heating, produced heavy rains and some gusty winds.
Flash Flood — Aug 30, 2021
Major hurricane Ida made landfall as a strong category four hurricane around 11:55am on August 29 near Grand Isle, LA. It then moved very slowly north through south central Louisiana and into Mississippi on August 30. It then turned northeast and moved across the Jackson metro area as a tropical storm and into northeast Mississippi as a tropical depression through the early morning of August 31...
Tropical Storm — Aug 30, 2021
Major hurricane Ida made landfall as a strong category four hurricane around 11:55am on August 29 near Grand Isle, LA. It then moved very slowly north through south central Louisiana and into Mississippi on August 30. It then turned northeast and moved across the Jackson metro area as a tropical storm and into northeast Mississippi as a tropical depression through the early morning of August 31...
Flash Flood — Mar 25, 2021
A volatile atmosphere was in place for the second time in two weeks, with potential for significant severe weather across portions of the Southeast United States. Vigorous wind shear as well as ample instability would combine to generate thunderstorms that had the potential for violent severe weather. Storms developed during the afternoon, bringing damaging winds and flash flooding to the regio...
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 Winston 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 Winston 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.