Enter any address in Rowan County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Rowan County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 29 flash flood events and 13 flood events, alongside 3 tropical storm events. For example, widespread showers in June 2025 led to flooding across southern Rowan County after 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell over several hours. More recently, in August 2024, remnants of Tropical Storm Debby brought 4 to 7 inches of rain, resulting in flash flooding across portions of western North Carolina, including Rowan County.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that while Zone A areas have seen a higher number of claims, properties in Zone X (unshaded and shaded) and Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced significant average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in any flood zone with a history of claims, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
14 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Rowan County, North Carolina has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 29 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 5, 2024 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Tropical Storm Eta | Severe Storm | Nov 12, 2020 |
| Hurricane Isaias | Hurricane | Jul 31, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2019 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 5, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 30, 2022 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2020 | 50.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Nov 13, 2020 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Nov 12, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 12, 2020 | 5.00K |
Flood — Jun 5, 2025
Widespread showers and embedded thunderstorms developed across the North Carolina Piedmont during the morning in the vicinity of a weak frontal boundary. An area of flooding developed across southern Rowan County in response to 2.5 to 4 inches of rain falling over several hours.
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...
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2024
The remnants Tropical Storm Debby made landfall in the Florida Big Bend on the 5th, lifted steadily northeast across southeast Georgia before turning north through the South Carolina coastal plain and the North Carolina Piedmont on the 7th and 8th. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 7 inches with locally higher amounts resulted in flash flooding across portions of western North Carolina. In addition, ve...
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2023
Waves of showers and thunderstorms developed in the vicinity of a stalled frontal zone, and in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge escarpment in response to upslope flow. The result was localized areas of heavy-to-excessive rainfall, with anywhere from 5 to 10 inches reported over a 24-36 hour period. Isolated flash flooding developed across portions of the foothills and the Piedmont.
Tropical Storm — Sep 30, 2022
Very gusty winds developed over the North Carolina Piedmont as Tropical Cyclone Ian made a second landfall as a minimal hurricane near Myrtle Beach during the afternoon of the 30th. Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph, with occasional gusts as high as 50 mph resulted in dozens of trees blown down throughout the area. Multiple trees fell on structures and vehicles, especially in the Charlotte ar...
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 Rowan 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 Rowan 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.