Enter any address in Polk County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Polk County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 15 recorded instances of flood or flash flood events. For example, thunderstorms on March 27-28, 2021, caused flooding across East Tennessee, including this county. Earlier, on July 6, 2018, showers and thunderstorms along a cool front produced flash flooding.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with 30 claims averaging $15,519 and an average water depth of 7.8 feet. While Zone X properties have fewer claims (4), their average payout was higher at $17,792, with an average water depth of 1.2 feet. Two claims were recorded in Zone UNKNOWN, with an average payout of $5,186 and an average water depth of 18.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in low-lying areas or near waterways, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Polk County, Tennessee has recorded 15 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 5 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 23 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 (1974–2026)
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, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 8, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornado | Severe Storm | Mar 1, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 12, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| 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 |
| 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 | Mar 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2018 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 25, 2015 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Dec 2, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 16, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2012 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jan 1, 2011 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Sep 26, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 21, 2009 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 28, 2021
Thunderstorms with large hail spread northward across East Tennessee during the early morning hours of March 27, reaching southwest Virginia by late morning. These storms were associated with a warm front, which later stalled across northeast Tennessee. This stalled front was the focus of additional thunderstorms that produced damaging wind gusts and flooding in the evening of March 27 and into...
Flash Flood — Jul 6, 2018
Showers and thunderstorms formed along a cool front sliding south across East Tennessee during the late afternoon and evening hours. The storms produced damaging winds, flash flooding and frequent lightning. The lightning resulted in a fatality in Roane County.
Flood — Dec 25, 2015
Another unseasonably warm and moist air mass was prompted by deep upper level troughing over the Central Plains states, and a slow moving cold front over middle and western Tennessee. Heavy rain falling upon nearly saturated soils resulted in widespread flooding.
Flood — Dec 2, 2015
Persistent moist southwesterly flow aloft combined with a nearly stationary surface front to bring rains to the area from November 29th to December 2nd, resulting in flooding.
Flood — Jan 16, 2013
Significant synoptic scale event produced several inches of rain over much of the area.
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 Polk 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 Polk 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.