Enter any address in Wayne County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms dominates the flood character in Wayne County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 44 flash flood events and 7 general flood events. Recent examples include widespread flash flooding in March 2021, when thunderstorms repeatedly moved across the county for many hours, and localized heavy rain of four to six inches in July 2025, which caused flooding in areas like Loretto, St. Joseph, and Iron City.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $24,325 and an average water depth of 2.5 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a significant number of claims, with a higher average payout of $27,160, though with a lower average water depth of 1.0 foot. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and areas with unknown flood risk, should pay close attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
16 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wayne County, Tennessee has recorded 51 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 44 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 27 federal disaster declarations, 4 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 Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Mar 31, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornado | Severe Storm | Mar 1, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Tornado | Mar 25, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storm And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Oct 26, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 19, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 15, 2015 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 24, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 5, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 22, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 28, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2010 | 8.00M |
| Flood | May 2, 2010 | 600.00K |
| Flood | May 2, 2010 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms developed across portions of Middle Tennessee during the afternoon of July 9, 2025. Weak steering flow meant that these storms were generally slow-moving. This combined with above average atmospheric moisture meant that the stage was set for heavy rain and flooding. One thunderstorm in Lawrence and Wayne counties produced four to six inches of heavy rain which caused flo...
Flash Flood — Mar 31, 2021
Numerous showers and thunderstorms affected southern Middle Tennessee during the early morning hours of March 31, 2021. Thunderstorms repeatedly moved across Wayne, Lawrence, and Giles Counties for many hours, causing widespread flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Mar 24, 2020
Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon and evening hours of March 24, including one supercell thunderstorm that tracked through Wayne and Lawrence Counties. Although no severe weather was reported, several incidents of flash flooding occurred.
Flash Flood — Feb 5, 2020
After an unusually wet January, another strong storm system brought more heavy rainfall, flooding, and severe storms to parts of Middle Tennessee on February 5th. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms known as a QLCS (Quasi-linear Convective System) developed in northern Mississippi and moved across southern and eastern Middle Tennessee during the afternoon and evening hours. These storms sp...
Flood — Apr 22, 2017
Widespread showers and thunderstorms spread across Middle Tennessee in the early morning hours on April 22 and continued into the next day on April 23. One supercell thunderstorm developed and tracked across Wayne, Lawrence, and Giles Counties, producing many reports of large hail and wind damage. Heavy rainfall from all of the showers and thunderstorms also produced widespread reports of flood...
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 Wayne 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 Wayne 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.