Enter any address in Rhea County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character of Rhea County. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 4, 2023, triggered by locally heavy rains, and significant flash flooding on September 26, 2018, caused by heavy convective rain bands. Thunderstorms associated with the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Ida also brought localized flooding to the county on August 31, 2021.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $8,664 and an average water depth of 2.5 feet. Properties in Zone X also have a significant number of claims, with a higher average payout of $51,814, though the average water depth was 2.7 feet. Residents in Zone A, Zone X, and those in areas with unknown flood zone designations should pay particular attention to their 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.
Rhea County, Tennessee has recorded 34 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornado | Severe Storm | Aug 7, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornado | Severe Storm | Mar 1, 2023 |
| 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, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 27, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 15, 2015 |
| 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 | Jul 4, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Aug 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 25, 2015 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 24, 2015 | 15.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2014 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 19, 2013 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Jul 7, 2013 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2010 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 4, 2023
A weak trough of 500 MB low pressure helped trigger locally heavy rains over western portions of the Tennessee Valley.
Flood — Aug 31, 2021
Thunderstorms associated with the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Ida moved across parts of East Tennessee. One storm blew down trees and powerlines in Rhea County. There were localized reports of flooding due to the rainfall gradually accumulating throughout the day, but occasionally heavier rain did fall toward the latter afternoon and early evening hours.
Flash Flood — Sep 26, 2018
The back door front had mostly washed out, but southwesterly flow aloft on the west side of the Bermuda High kept the area quite humid. A cold front was approaching from the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, and heavy convective rain was training along southwest-to-northeast oriented bands, producing significant flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2018
A humid air mass containing outflow boundaries from previous convection triggered isolated diurnal downpours.
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.
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 Rhea 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 Rhea 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.