Enter any address in Blount County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Blount County. Recent events include significant flash flooding in August 2023 and January 2024, with Tropical Storm Helene contributing to catastrophic flash and river flooding in September 2024.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a mix of flood zones and claim payouts. Zone A, often associated with base flood elevations, has had 34 claims with an average payout of $9,232 and an average water depth of 0.2 feet. Zone X, representing areas with a lower flood risk, has seen 8 claims averaging $10,858, but with a notable average water depth of 14.4 feet. Zone X_Unshaded, also a lower-risk area, has had 5 claims with the highest average payout of $148,533, though with an average water depth of 0.2 feet.
Residents in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in lower-risk zones like Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded that have experienced significant water depth or high payouts, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties located near streams, rivers, or in areas prone to heavy rainfall should be particularly aware.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Blount County, Tennessee has recorded 44 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 25 river or area floods. The county has received 18 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 (1973–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2025 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 19, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 27, 2017 |
| East Miller Cove Fire | Fire | Nov 17, 2016 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 15, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 25, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 2, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 13, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 23, 2019 | 2.75M |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 25, 2024
Tropical Storm Helene caps off a several day heavy rainfall event in association with a stalled closed upper low that drew a stream of tropical moisture into the area on the 25th and 26th. The arrival of Helene on the 27th yielded catastrophic flash flooding and river flooding, as well as significant wind damage as wet soils and strong wind gusts led to forest damage.
Flood — Jan 9, 2024
A potent storm system with abundant Gulf moisture produced heavy rain, mainly along the spine of the Appalachians thanks to upslope flow in western North Carolina. The heaviest rain impacted streams uphill from Gatlinburg, producing flooding in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and points downstream.
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2023
Highly anomalous low level jet associated with a strong upper level shortwave brought an early morning thunderstorm complex through Tennessee, with flash flooding around Knoxville and damaging straight line winds in the southernmost counties.
Flash Flood — Mar 2, 2023
A moist, southwesterly fetch aloft paralleled a stationary front draped across northeast Tennessee to produce areas of heavy rainfall and flooding, along with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
Flash Flood — Jun 29, 2020
Weak northwesterly steering flow was marked by a 500 MB ridge axis over middle Tennessee. This allowed convection to move from central Kentucky into portions of the Tennessee Valley near Knoxville. Heavy rain produced flash flooding.
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 Blount County, Tennessee:
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 Blount County, Tennessee 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.