Enter any address in Houston County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood hazard in Houston County. Recent events include a major multi-day severe weather outbreak in April 2025 that brought flash flooding to the region, and another instance on May 22, 2024, which necessitated water rescues at a local daycare.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A and Zone X have experienced the most significant flood claims, with average payouts and water depths notably higher than in zones with unknown designations. Homeowners in these identified zones, as well as those located near waterways, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Houston County, Tennessee has recorded 31 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 28 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 28 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 (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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornado | Severe Storm | Mar 1, 2023 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Flood | Aug 21, 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 5, 2014 |
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 | May 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 28, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2021 | 612.99K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 27, 2013 | 4.00M |
| Flash Flood | Apr 27, 2011 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2011 | 1.00K |
| Flood | May 2, 2010 | 800.00K |
| Flood | Apr 4, 2008 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 3, 2025
A major and historic multi-day severe weather event unfolded across Middle Tennessee during early April 2025. This event began during the afternoon hours of April 2nd and continued through April 6th. These first couple rounds of thunderstorms brought damaging winds and large hail along with a tornado risk. The corridor from southwest Middle Tennessee into the Nashville metro area was hit partic...
Flash Flood — May 22, 2024
An active May pattern continued into May 22, 2024, as additional severe thunderstorms impacted Middle Tennessee. Damaging winds were the primary threat with this activity with numerous trees, mainly in eastern Middle Tennessee, uprooted or snapped. Flash flooding was also reported in Houston County where water rescues had to be performed at a daycare.
Flash Flood — Feb 28, 2021
Numerous showers and thunderstorms affected Middle Tennessee during the evening hours on February 27, then again during the afternoon and evening hours on February 28. Several storms became severe and produced damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 21, 2021
The deadliest flash flood to ever affect Middle Tennessee, and one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the state, struck the region on Saturday, August 21, 2021. Occurring only a few months after another deadly and disastrous flash flood impacted the Nashville metro area on March 27-28, 2021 and killed 7 people, this flash flood left catastrophic damage across several counties in w...
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2016
A large upper level low pressure caused numerous showers and thunderstorms to develop across northwest Middle Tennessee late on July 27 then slowly spread eastward across Middle Tennessee on July 28. Several reports of heavy rainfall and some flooding were received.
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 Houston 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 Houston 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.