Enter any address in Cleveland County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character in Cleveland County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 14 flash flood events and 7 general flood events. For example, in January 2024, widespread rainfall of 3 to 5 inches in 12 hours led to numerous reports of flooding. More recently, in September 2024, moisture from Tropical Cyclone Helene contributed to heavy rain showers and thunderstorms, resulting in flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A, which typically have a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) of 0, have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $12,463 and an average water depth of 5.0 feet. Properties in Zone X also saw claims, averaging $8,232 with 4.7 feet of water. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near waterways that have experienced flooding, should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cleveland County, North Carolina has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 21, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Hurricane Isaias | Hurricane | Jul 31, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 6, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2019 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2018 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2024 | 2.00M |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 3.00M (2 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Mar 26, 2021 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 12, 2020 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 1.00M |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 500.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 11, 2018 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 14, 2025
Scattered, slow-moving thunderstorms developed over western North Carolina during the early morning hours. Multiple slow-moving storms moved over southern Cleveland County, resulting in up to 5 inches of rain falling in a short period of time, followed by localized flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 27, 2024
Tropical Cyclone Helene began organizing over the western Caribbean on the 23rd and 24th of September before rapidly intensifying as it moved north through the eastern Gulf of Mexico on the 25th and 26th. A plume of moisture extending from the intensifying storm interacted with a slow-moving cold front to produce a band of widespread heavy rain showers and embedded scattered thunderstorms over ...
Tropical Storm — Sep 27, 2024
Tropical Cyclone Helene began organizing over the western Caribbean on the 23rd and 24th of September before rapidly intensifying as it moved north through the eastern Gulf of Mexico on the 25th and 26th. A plume of moisture extending from the intensifying storm interacted with a slow-moving cold front to produce a band of widespread heavy rain showers and embedded scattered thunderstorms over ...
Flash Flood — Jan 9, 2024
A major/complex frontal system brought widespread rain with embedded thunderstorms to western North Carolina, mainly during the afternoon of the 9th. Widespread rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches (with locally higher amounts) in around 12 hours resulted in numerous reports of flooding. Isolated severe thunderstorms also resulted in a number of damaging wind gusts reports over the Piedmont, along...
Flood — Mar 26, 2021
Widespread heavy rain showers and scattered thunderstorms developed north of a warm front across western North Carolina throughout the 25th into the 26th. Widespread totals rainfall of 3 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts resulted in minor to moderate flooding along several mainstem rivers and some tributaries.
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 Cleveland County, North Carolina:
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 Cleveland County, North Carolina 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.