Enter any address in Chester County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event recorded in Chester County, TN over the last 30 years, with 18 such events documented. This is followed by general flooding, with 5 events, and one tropical storm. For example, a flash flood event occurred in March 2021 due to heavy rain near the Tennessee/Mississippi line. Another significant event involved areal flooding across West Tennessee in February 2018, caused by a prolonged period of rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced claims with an average payout of $36,126 and an average water depth of -1.0 feet. One claim was also recorded in an unknown zone with an average payout of $5,722 and 0.0 feet water depth. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near waterways or in lower-lying terrain, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Chester County, Tennessee has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 16 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1975–2026)
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, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 25, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Apr 30, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 15, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Mar 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 22, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2018 | 80.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 10, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 3, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 13, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 2, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 27, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 24, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 27, 2021
A warm front lifted north across the Mid-South during the morning hours of March 27th. Numerous thunderstorms resulted in heavy rain near the Tennessee/Mississippi line and some flash flooding along with an isolated damaging wind report. The front continued to lift north during the morning along with the complex of showers of thunderstorms. After a brief break during the early afternoon, thunde...
Flood — Feb 22, 2018
A prolonged period of rainfall was generated along the backside of a slow moving cold front across portions of West Tennessee during the late evening hours of February 21st continuing into February 22nd. Another round of rain moved through parts of West Tennessee during the late evening of February 22 into the morning hours of February 23rd. Areal flooding was common across West Tennessee durin...
Flood — Jun 1, 2018
An upper level disturbance generated a line of severe storms capable of damaging winds across portions of West Tennessee during the early morning hours of June 1st.
Flash Flood — Mar 10, 2016
A classic heavy rain pattern set up over the Mid-South during the period of March 9th, 2016 to March 13th, 2016. A cold front stretched from Nebraska to Texas on the morning of March 8th. The front moved southeastward and stalled across Southeast Missouri as an upper level low remained stationary over Texas. A very moist atmosphere was in place over the Mid-South south of this boundary. Several...
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2014
A cold front approached the Mid-South during the afternoon and evening hours of July 23rd, 2014. Showers and thunderstorms developed along the front and eventually evolved into a mesoscale convective complex. The complex brought severe storms into portions of West Tennessee which produced damaging winds and 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 Chester 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 Chester 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.