Enter any address in Fentress County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Fentress County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 29 flash flood events and 11 flood events. Recent examples include a flash flood event on July 20, 2023, associated with a strong squall line, and another on March 27, 2021, which caused historic flooding across Middle Tennessee.
Homeowners, journalists, and real estate agents should pay close attention to flood risk in Fentress County. While specific NFIP claim data by zone is not provided, the prevalence of flash flooding suggests that properties in low-lying areas, near creeks and streams, or those without a documented Base Flood Elevation (BFE) may face a higher risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Fentress County, Tennessee has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 29 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 24 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, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Tornado | Mar 25, 2021 |
| 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 Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 25, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2023 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2023 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Aug 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 27, 2021 | 76.25K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 6, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 5, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 29, 2019 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2017 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2023
A very strong squall line made its way through Middle Tennessee during the morning and afternoon hours of July 20, 2023. Damaging straight-line winds were the primary threat associated with this line of thunderstorms with wind gusts of 65 to 80 mph common. The most significant damage was reported in Sumner and Wilson counties with numerous reports of downed trees and powerlines received. Meanwh...
Flood — Aug 30, 2021
Scattered showers and t'storms developed on August 30th as the remnants of Ida moved through Middle TN. Some heavy downpours led to isolated flash flooding in areas.
Flash Flood — Mar 27, 2021
An historic flash flooding event affected the central third of Middle Tennessee from the early morning hours on March 27 through the day into the early morning hours on March 28. A warm front moved northward into Middle Tennessee early on March 27 before stalling near the I-40 corridor. Between 300-400 AM CDT, numerous showers and thunderstorms developed along the warm front, many of which beca...
Flash Flood — Oct 6, 2021
Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed in the afternoon hours on October 6th and lasted well into the evening hours. Multiple reports of damaging winds, flash flooding, some hail, and even a tornado were received.
Flash Flood — Feb 5, 2020
After an unusually wet January, another strong storm system brought more heavy rainfall, flooding, and severe storms to parts of Middle Tennessee on February 5th. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms known as a QLCS (Quasi-linear Convective System) developed in northern Mississippi and moved across southern and eastern Middle Tennessee during the afternoon and evening hours. These storms sp...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Fentress 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 Fentress 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.