Enter any address in Roane County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Roane County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 29 flash flood events and 17 flood events, alongside 2 tropical storm events. Recent examples include flash flooding on May 8, 2024, caused by severe thunderstorms, and a flood event on May 18, 2024, associated with a slow-moving upper trough.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $20,038 and an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Properties in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded have also filed claims, with average payouts of $7,737 and $9,289 respectively, and lower average water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those located near rivers or in areas without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Roane County, Tennessee has recorded 48 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 29 flash floods and 17 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 5 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 |
| 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 Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 5, 2014 |
| 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 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 25, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 23, 2019 | 10.50M |
Flash Flood — Mar 15, 2025
A strong upper trough and low pressure system helped generate a powerful low level jet of winds that led to both high wind reports and wind damage. However, potential energy in the atmosphere was lacking, with severe storms only generating a handful of damage reports and funnel clouds.
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2024
Scattered, slow-moving convection beneath a humid high pressure ridge produced isolated flash flooding.
Flood — May 18, 2024
A weak but slow moving upper trough a severe thunderstorm that produced a few instances of damaging winds.
Flash Flood — May 8, 2024
A cutoff low over the North Plains, coupled with intense winds aloft and a cold front at the surface, helped spawn multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms that produced hail, flash flooding, and damaging winds to East Tennessee.
Flash Flood — Jul 25, 2022
Summer diurnal thunderstorms moved slowly and produced localized heavy rainfall amounts.
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 Roane 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 Roane 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.