Enter any address in Lauderdale County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Lauderdale County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 15 flash flood events and 8 flood events, with one tropical depression also recorded. Recent examples include flash flooding on February 24, 2018, following a strong cold front, and widespread flash flooding on September 11, 2014, after a slow-moving front produced 5-10 inches of rain in some areas.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $15,555 and water depths averaging 6.5 feet. However, properties in Zone X have seen higher average payouts ($19,916) with significantly deeper water (11.2 feet), despite fewer claims. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in Zone Unknown with lower average water depths, should pay close 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.
Lauderdale County, Tennessee has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 24 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 Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Feb 3, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 19, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| 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 | Feb 24, 2018 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Feb 22, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 11, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 5, 2011 | 1.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2011 | 750.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2010 | 500.00K |
Flash Flood — Feb 24, 2018
A strong cold front interacted with a very unstable airmass across the Midsouth during the afternoon and evening hours of February 24h. All facets of severe weather occurred.
Flood — Feb 22, 2018
A prolonged period of rainfall was generated along the backside of a slow moving cold front across portions of West Tennessee during the late evening hours of February 21st continuing into February 22nd. Another round of rain moved through parts of West Tennessee during the late evening of February 22 into the morning hours of February 23rd. Areal flooding was common across West Tennessee durin...
Flash Flood — Aug 18, 2014
An upper level low pressure system tracked southeastward from the St. Louis area through the Mid-South on August 17th-18th, 2014. The upper level low interacted with daytime heating to produce showers and thunderstorms across the area during the afternoon and evening hours on both days. Some storms became severe producing large hail and flash flooding. The storms diminished after sunset due to ...
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2014
An upper level low pressure system tracked southeastward from the St. Louis area through the Mid-South on August 17th-18th, 2014. The upper level low interacted with daytime heating to produce showers and thunderstorms across the area during the afternoon and evening hours on both days. Some storms became severe producing large hail and flash flooding. The storms diminished after sunset due to ...
Flash Flood — Sep 11, 2014
A slow moving cold front moved into the Mid-South during the morning hours of September 11th, 2014. Showers and thunderstorms developed along the front and kept redeveloping over the same area due to a low level jet that was over the area. Southwest Tennessee and Extreme Northwest Mississippi was hit the hardest. Widespread 5-6 inches of rain fell over this particular area with scattered locati...
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 Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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.