Enter any address in Lincoln County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from excessive rainfall is the dominant flood character in Lincoln County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 59 flash flood events. For example, on February 23, 2022, excessive rainfall caused flash flooding that led to several road closures within Lincoln County, and schools were closed as a result.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A experienced 33 claims with an average payout of $10,777 and an average water depth of 1.2 feet. Properties in Zone X had 8 claims with a higher average payout of $27,947, despite a similar average water depth of 1.1 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X with higher average payouts, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lincoln County, Tennessee has recorded 68 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 59 flash floods and 7 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 |
| 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, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 25, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2003 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 23, 2002 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Feb 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 31, 2016 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 28, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 2, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 1, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2009 | 0.00K |
Flood — Feb 23, 2022
In addition to severe weather, excessive rainfall occurred causing numerous locations to experience flash flooding. ||4-5.5 inches of rain in southern middle Tennessee.|20 roads closed due to flash flooding in Moore County alone.|Several roads closed in Lincoln County.|Schools closed on the 23rd as a result.
Flash Flood — Sep 20, 2021
Showers and thunderstorms repeatedly moved across Northern Alabama and Southern Middle TN on the 19th and 20th. Numerous roads were closed in Lincoln County, with widespread rainfall amounts of 3-6 across much of the area. Portions of NW Madison received 6-8 over a few hours, leading to flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 19, 2021
Showers and thunderstorms repeatedly moved across Northern Alabama and Southern Middle TN on the 19th and 20th. Numerous roads were closed in Lincoln County, with widespread rainfall amounts of 3-6 across much of the area. Portions of NW Madison received 6-8 over a few hours, leading to flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 26, 2018
A feed of very moist air and a slow moving frontal system led to multiple clusters of showers and thunderstorms during the morning hours of the 26th. Intense rainfall rates in a short period of time (1-2 inches in 30 minutes) led to multiple locations with flash flooding in Lincoln and Moore Counties.
Flash Flood — Mar 31, 2016
Training cells and bands of heavy rainfall dumped 2 to 3 inches of rain in parts of Lincoln County on the night of 3/31. Parts of Bugger Hollow Rd, which border a small creek branch of Stewart Creek (which feeds into the Elk River further north), flooded and caused damage to one home.
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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.