Enter any address in White County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in White County, TN. Recent events include flash flooding on July 30, 2024, and May 8, 2024, associated with severe weather systems that brought heavy rain to the Cumberland Plateau.
While flash flooding is frequent, other types of flooding also occur. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows claims have been filed in both Zone A and Zone X flood zones. Claims in Zone A, typically areas of higher flood risk, averaged $2,870 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Claims in Zone X, generally areas of lower flood risk, averaged $16,584 with an average water depth of 0.5 feet. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X who have experienced flooding, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
White County, Tennessee has recorded 30 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 21 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 18 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 | Mar 1, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 15, 2015 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2003 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 5, 1999 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 23, 1998 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2023 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Feb 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 22, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 10, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 6, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 5, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2024
Two lines of thunderstorms moved through Middle Tennessee on July 30, 2024. One of these lines moved through the area during the afternoon while the second arrived late in the evening. Damaging winds were the primary threat with these thunderstorms with numerous reports of downed trees and power lines received. Heavy rain was also reported across the Cumberland Plateau with flooding occurring i...
Flash Flood — May 8, 2024
A widespread severe weather event impacted Middle Tennessee beginning in the early morning hours of May 8, 2024, and continued through the early morning hours of May 9th. During this time frame, numerous rounds of severe weather moved through the area, causing widespread wind damage in nearly every county in Middle Tennessee, hail up to 3 inches in diameter, and four tornadoes. One of these tor...
Flash Flood — May 6, 2024
A broken line of thunderstorm tracked eastward across Middle Tennessee on May 6, 2024. With plenty of instability and modest shear, these thunderstorms became strong to severe, especially across eastern Middle Tennessee. Several reports of wind damage and large hail up to two inches in diameter were received. Two tornadoes were also confirmed. One was an EF-0 near Lebanon, and the other was an ...
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2023
A very strong squall line made its way through Middle Tennessee during the morning and afternoon hours of July 20, 2023. Damaging straight-line winds were the primary threat associated with this line of thunderstorms with wind gusts of 65 to 80 mph common. The most significant damage was reported in Sumner and Wilson counties with numerous reports of downed trees and powerlines received. Meanwh...
Flood — Feb 16, 2023
A storm system and its associated cold front racing across the Great Plains combined with moist southerly flow at the surface resulted in a line of thunderstorms that impacted Middle Tennessee on February 16, 2023. As this line moved into the area that provided abundant wind shear and sufficient instability, they strengthened and quickly turned severe. Several reports of large hail and damaging...
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 White 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 White 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.