Enter any address in Decatur County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood hazard in Decatur County, TN. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA data recorded 43 flash flood events, compared to only 3 general flood events and 1 tropical storm. Recent events include flash flooding reported on July 4, 2023, and March 27, 2021, stemming from slow-moving, heavy rainfall events.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced a significantly higher number of claims, with an average payout of $15,234 and an average water depth of 1.8 feet. While Zone X has seen fewer claims, they still averaged $5,767 with 0.5 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A, and those located near waterways or in areas prone to rapid rainfall accumulation, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Decatur County, Tennessee has recorded 47 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 43 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 28 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2026)
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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornado | Severe Storm | Mar 1, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Tornado | Dec 10, 2021 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Tornado | Mar 25, 2021 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 3, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storm And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Oct 26, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 19, 2019 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 27, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 13, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 2, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 3, 2025
A significant multi-hazard, multi-day event occurred across the Mid-South from April 2, 2025, to April 8, 2025, producing 35 tornadoes, record flooding, and numerous reports of damaging winds and large hail. A large upper-level trough covered the Western U.S. in early April. A significant piece of energy rotated around the base of the trough and ejected into the Southern Plains and the Middle-...
Flash Flood — Jul 4, 2023
Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed along and south of I-40 due to diurnal heating during the late afternoon on July 4, 2023. Weak wind shear combined with deep moisture produced slow-moving, highly efficient rainfall-producing thunderstorms. There were several reports of flash flooding across the area.
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...
Flash Flood — Jun 27, 2016
The combination of a very humid airmass and a weak surface front allowed for thunderstorms to develop during the afternoon of June 27th. A few severe storms produced damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 7, 2014
A leftover outflow boundary from the previous nights convection over Kansas and Oklahoma triggered redevelopment of showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon hours of June 7th, 2014. The storms moved into Northeast Arkansas...the Missouri Bootheel and Northwest Tennessee during the late afternoon into the evening hours. The storms became severe due to the warm and unstable airmass in place...
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 Decatur 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 Decatur 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.