Elizabethton, Tennessee Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Elizabethton faces flooding from the Watauga River and Doe River in Carter County. The confluence of these rivers creates significant flood risk during heavy rainfall events in the Appalachian highlands.
Carter County has recorded 287 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $5.2M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 4
NFIP Policies
325
Carter County
Avg. Premium
$1,302/yr
Carter County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Carter County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $12.0M
Hurricane Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $61K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Carter County
Carter County has been included in 5 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Carter County, including Elizabethton.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Carter County
Properties in Carter County have filed 287 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $5.2M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $18K.
Highest-Claim Years
1998
96 claims - $858K
2024
84 claims - $3.8M
2013
16 claims - $130K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Carter County
An estimated 1% of households in Carter County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Penetration Rate
1%
Claims Ratio
1 in 1
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$18,289
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Carter County
Carter County has 19 properties with multiple flood losses, including 1 severe repetitive loss properties.
Multiple Loss
19
Severe Rep. Loss
1
Mitigated
0
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: CARTER County
NOAA has recorded 35 flood events in CARTER County since 1996, causing $84.7M in damage and 7 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Carter County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 86 properties in Carter County, investing $528K in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Elizabethton
Elizabethton faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Elizabethton are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $12.0M.
Riverine flood risk in Elizabethton is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Elizabethton address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Elizabethton
Elizabethton participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 8
SFHA Premium Discount
10% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Elizabethton's Class 8 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Elizabethton, TN Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Elizabethton, TN?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Elizabethton are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Elizabethton?
If your Elizabethton property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Elizabethton?
Enter your Elizabethton address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Elizabethton offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Elizabethton participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 8 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 10% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Elizabethton experienced major flooding events?
Carter County, where Elizabethton is located, has been part of 5 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in 2019. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Elizabethton?
Carter County has recorded 287 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $5.2M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1998, with 96 claims and $858K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Elizabethton.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Elizabethton?
Carter County currently has 325 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,302. The most policies are in Zone AE (215 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Elizabethton properties have flooded repeatedly?
Carter County has 19 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 1 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Elizabethton property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Elizabethton?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Elizabethton's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Tennessee Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.