Enter any address in McMinn County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in McMinn County, TN, with 27 such events recorded in the last 30 years, alongside 16 general flood events and one tropical storm. Recent examples include significant flash flooding on August 14, 2023, caused by persistent thunderstorms, and widespread heavy rainfall leading to flooding on February 5, 2020.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with 24 claims averaging $7,207. While Zone X_UNSHADED has fewer claims (5), these averaged a higher payout of $12,175, with an average water depth of 1.4 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and those in Zone X_UNSHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
McMinn County, Tennessee has recorded 44 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 27 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 16 federal disaster declarations, 2 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 Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 15, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And | Severe Storm | Feb 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 25, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 10, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 13, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2018 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Dec 25, 2015 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2023
A highly anomalous weather pattern involving a closed low and a trailing cold front brought discrete thunderstorms and multicell clusters in multiple rounds to east Tennessee. Repeat events as well as training of cells resulted in flash flooding, some of it significant.
Flash Flood — Apr 13, 2020
A prolonged convective event with deep moist southerly flow in an unstable environment with strong wind shear generated supercell thunderstorms across Southeast Tennessee and Southwest North Carolina. The lengthy period of heavy rain resulted in widespread three to four inch rainfall totals across East Tennessee, Southwest North Carolina, and Southwest Virginia.
Flood — Feb 5, 2020
A cold front extending from the Texas coast to the southern Appalachians experienced little movement as low pressure systems moved northeastward along the boundary. This resulted in heavy rainfall of 5 to 6 inches across most of area.
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2019
Tropical Storm Barry over coastal Louisiana sent tropical moisture northward into the Tennessee Valley. Some afternoon diurnal convection proved to be efficient rain producers.
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2019
A weak low pressure trough embedded within a large ridge of high pressure at 500 MB contributed to slow-moving convection that produced localized flooding.
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 McMinn 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 McMinn 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.