Enter any address in Lake County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event type in Lake County, TN, with 9 such events recorded in the last 30 years. Other flood events, including general floods, tropical storms, and tropical depressions, have also occurred. For example, flash flooding was reported on February 28, 2021, following heavy rainfall over saturated soils. Another flood event on February 23, 2019, was associated with a strong cold front producing thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $7,418 and an average water depth of 1.8 feet. While Zone X and Zone X_Shaded have fewer claims, the average payouts in these zones are significantly higher, particularly in Zone X_Shaded where one claim averaged $13,300 with a substantial water depth of 22.0 feet. Properties in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and Zone X_Shaded, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lake County, Tennessee has recorded 18 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 9 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 4 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 |
| 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, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 3, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 19, 2019 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 26, 2011 |
| 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 | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 28, 2021 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Feb 23, 2019 | 500.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2011 | 750.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 2, 2010 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 19, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Sep 14, 2008 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2006 | .01K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 29, 2005 | 10K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2004 | 10K |
Flash Flood — Feb 15, 2025
An upper-level trough crossed the Four Corners region and dipped into northern Mexico on February 14, 2025. In response, deep southwesterly flow set up over the Lower Mississippi Valley and advected Gulf moisture poleward. Showers and thunderstorms blossomed across the region during the early morning hours on February 15, 2025. Meanwhile, a warm front quickly accelerated northward during the mo...
Flash Flood — Feb 28, 2021
A cold front pushed into an unstable and very moist airmass to produce numerous showers and thunderstorms north of Interstate 40 during the afternoon of February 28th. Storms eventually evolved into a line and pushed southeast across the Mid-South. A few severe storms occurred. Heavy rainfall over already saturated soils resulting in some flash flooding.
Flood — Feb 23, 2019
A strong cold front produced a line of thunderstorms that caused flash flooding, some wind damage and funnel clouds to portions of west Tennessee during the afternoon and early evening hours of February 23rd.
Flood — May 1, 2011
Heavy rains continued to occur across the Mid-Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley during the beginning part of May. In addition, spring snow melt across the Dakotas and Minnesota continued to create higher than normal river levels on the Mississippi River. The combination of the snow melt and heavy rainfall produced record breaking flooding on the Mississippi River. Numerous roads were floo...
Flash Flood — May 2, 2010
An upper level disturbance slowly approached the Mid-South during the evening of April 30th, 2010 as a cold front became stationary to the west. This pattern remained in place through the evening hours of May 2nd, 2010. South to southwest winds pumped warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and created a very unstable atmosphere. Showers and thunderstorms developed in association with the front ...
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 Lake 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 Lake 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.