Enter any address in Hawkins County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Hawkins County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 19 flood events and 19 flash flood events, resulting in one reported death. For example, on February 15th and 16th, 2025, heavy rainfall associated with a strong synoptic system and severe thunderstorms led to widespread flooding reports in northern East Tennessee, including Hawkins County. Another event on September 27th, 2025, saw slow-moving thunderstorms produce 3 to 5 inches of rain in localized areas, causing flooding.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone X, which are typically areas with reduced flood risk, have experienced the majority of claims, averaging $7,378 in payouts with an average water depth of 2.5 feet. While Zone A properties have had fewer claims, the data shows an average payout of $1,314, though with an average reported water depth of 0.0 feet in these instances. Homeowners in areas identified as Zone X or Zone A, as well as those located near rivers or in areas without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay particular attention to flood 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.
Hawkins County, Tennessee has recorded 38 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 17 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 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 23, 2002 |
| Greeneville Fire Complex-11/03/00 | Fire | Oct 30, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 17, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 24, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 24, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 27, 2025
Numerous showers and thunderstorms developing during the morning of the 27th across eastern Tennessee, lasting into the early afternoon hours. The slow moving nature of these storms produced some rainfall totals in the 3 to 5 inch range for portions of Hawkins and Sevier counties, leading to some reports of flooding there.
Flood — Sep 27, 2025
Numerous showers and thunderstorms developing during the morning of the 27th across eastern Tennessee, lasting into the early afternoon hours. The slow moving nature of these storms produced some rainfall totals in the 3 to 5 inch range for portions of Hawkins and Sevier counties, leading to some reports of flooding there.
Flash Flood — Feb 16, 2025
A strong synoptic system with heavy rainfall during warm front passage followed by additional rainfall during the severe thunderstorms along the cold front led to reports of flooding in northern portions of East Tennessee. Additionally, strong winds powered by strong winds aloft mixed to the surface, bringing wind advisory conditions to the whole area, a few high wind reports, and some wind dam...
Flash Flood — Feb 15, 2025
A strong synoptic system with heavy rainfall during warm front passage followed by additional rainfall during the severe thunderstorms along the cold front led to reports of flooding in northern portions of East Tennessee. Additionally, strong winds powered by strong winds aloft mixed to the surface, bringing wind advisory conditions to the whole area, a few high wind reports, and some wind dam...
Flash Flood — Sep 27, 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.
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 Hawkins 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 Hawkins 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.