Enter any address in DeKalb County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character in DeKalb County. Between 2004 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 19 flash flood events and 2 flood events. For example, heavy rain associated with a large storm system caused flash flooding in September 2022, impacting areas south of Interstate 40. In September 2018, widespread thunderstorms also led to flooding in DeKalb County.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $10,394 and an average water depth of 0.7 feet. One claim was filed in Zone X_UNSHADED, with an average payout of $5,233 and no reported water depth. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in areas prone to flash flooding, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
DeKalb County, Tennessee has recorded 21 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 19, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 15, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And | Severe Storm | Feb 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Apr 30, 2010 |
| 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 3, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 24, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 7, 2017 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Dec 28, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 25, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 9, 2009 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 3, 2009 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 30, 2004 | 1K |
| Flood | Sep 17, 2004 | 1K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2003 | — |
Flash Flood — Sep 3, 2022
A large storm system stretching from the mid-Mississippi Valley northward into the Great Lakes region on September 2nd through September 4, 2022, along with an abundant amount of moisture resulted in scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms across middle Tennessee. Due to slow storm motions and training of thunderstorms, heavy rain and areas of flash flooding were the primary threat duri...
Flash Flood — Sep 24, 2018
Widespread showers and thunderstorms developed across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon and evening hours on September 24. A few storms became supercells, with one producing a well-defined wall cloud near Walterhill in Rutherford County, and another spawning a brief EF-0 tornado in Cannon County. Heavy rainfall in some areas also led to some flooding in Rutherford and De Kalb Counties.
Flash Flood — Nov 7, 2017
A cold front moved across Middle Tennessee during the day on Monday, November 6, stalling across far northern Alabama in the evening before lifting slowly back northward overnight into Tuesday, November 7. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed north of the front during the afternoon and evening hours and then moved eastward along the I-40 corridor. Additional showers and storms formed a...
Flood — Dec 28, 2015
Strong south to southeasterly gradient winds of 35 to 50 mph just ahead of a line of showers and thunderstorms caused scattered wind damage across Middle Tennessee from late morning into the afternoon on December 28. Measured peak wind gusts included 49 mph at the Columbia Airport AWOS, 44 mph at the Nashville Airport ASOS, 42 mph at the Clarksville Airport ASOS, and 39 mph at the Crossville Ai...
Flash Flood — Dec 25, 2015
Barely over one day after a major tornado outbreak affected Tennessee and surrounding states, another round of severe storms with one tornado, wind damage, large hail, and flooding impacted Middle Tennessee on Christmas Day. One brief EF1 tornado touched down in Shelbyville, TN in Bedford County, causing minor damage.
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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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.