Memphis, TN Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
Memphis sits on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and is protected by an extensive levee system. However, the Wolf River, Nonconnah Creek, and Loosahatchie River create flood risk in the surrounding lowlands.
Shelby County has recorded 1,019 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $25.1M 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
2,642
Shelby County
Avg. Premium
$917/yr
Shelby County
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Shelby County
Properties in Shelby County have filed 1,019 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $25.1M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $25K.
Highest-Claim Years
2010
121 claims - $7.2M
2014
119 claims - $3.8M
1979
101 claims - $475K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Shelby County
Only roughly 1 in 139 households in Shelby County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.7% of estimated households). With 213 recorded flood events and $2.1B in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.7%
roughly 1 in 139 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 3
1,019 claims over 45+ years across 2,642 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$24,606
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Shelby County has averaged 1 claim for every 3 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Memphis.
Not sure whether you're required to carry it? See do I need flood insurance?, or compare NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Shelby County
Shelby County has 98 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 9 severe repetitive loss properties. 1 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
98
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
9
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
1
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 84 of 98 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Shelby County
Shelby County has been included in 3 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Shelby County, including Memphis.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Shelby County
NOAA has recorded 213 flood events in Shelby County since 1996, causing $2.1B in damage and 5 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Shelby County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 87 properties in Shelby County, investing $17.8M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced August 2026. FEMA records a total payment per grant rather than per property, so the dollar figure is an estimate that splits each grant across the properties it covers; the property count is exact.
Levee Protection: Memphis
The USACE National Levee Database lists 3 levee systems protecting parts of Memphis. A system's FEMA accreditation status determines how its protected area is mapped: accredited levees are typically mapped as Zone X, while non-accredited or provisionally accredited systems generally leave their protected area in the Special Flood Hazard Area (often Zone AR or A99) until certification is complete.
Memphis - Nonconnah Levee System
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Mississippi River - Sponsor: City of Memphis, TN - 1.13 sq mi protected
Ensley Levee System
AccreditedProtects against: Mississippi River - Sponsor: Memphis and Shelby Cty Port Commission - 10.63 sq mi protected
Memphis - Wolf River Backwater Levee System
AccreditedProtects against: Mississippi River - Sponsor: City of Memphis, TN - 4.09 sq mi protected
Source: USACE National Levee Database. Data sourced August 2026. Learn how levees affect flood zone mapping.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Shelby 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 HighEst. annual loss: $153.7M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $350K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Memphis
Memphis faces multiple inland flood threats, including riverine flooding from nearby waterways and flash flooding from intense rainfall overwhelming urban drainage systems. Properties near river corridors face the highest risk, but stormwater backup can affect neighborhoods well outside the mapped floodplain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Memphis are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $153.7M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Memphis depend heavily on a property's elevation relative to nearby waterways and the local drainage infrastructure. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 prices in multiple inland flood sources rather than relying on the flood zone line alone. 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.
Flood zone boundaries in Memphis can shift when FEMA updates its Flood Insurance Studies or when upstream development changes how water moves through the watershed. New stormwater infrastructure or dam modifications can also trigger map revisions. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Memphis address.
Memphis, TN Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Memphis, TN?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Memphis 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 Memphis?
If your Memphis 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 about a quarter of all NFIP flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones.
How do I check my flood zone in Memphis?
Enter your Memphis 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.
How high is flood risk in Memphis?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Shelby County (where Memphis is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $153.7M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Memphis experienced major flooding events?
Shelby County, where Memphis is located, has been part of 3 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Flooding in 2011. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Memphis?
Shelby County has recorded 1,019 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $25.1M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2010, with 121 claims and $7.2M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Memphis.
How many flood insurance policies are there in Memphis?
Shelby County had 2,642 NFIP flood insurance policies written or renewed over the trailing 13 months, with an average annual premium of $917. The most policies are in Zone X (1,844 policies). These are county-level counts of policies written or renewed in the trailing 13 months, not a point-in-time count of policies in force - a policy renewed inside that window is counted twice.
How many Memphis properties have flooded repeatedly?
Shelby County has 98 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 9 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.
Is Memphis protected by a levee?
Yes. The USACE National Levee Database lists 3 levee systems protecting parts of Memphis. Some of these are FEMA-accredited and some are not - accreditation status varies by system, and only the accredited ones map their protected area as Zone X. Levee protection is system-specific, not city-wide - check the address search above for the zone at a specific property.
Can my Memphis 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 Memphis?
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 Memphis'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
See the Flood Map for Any Memphis, TN Address
Enter a Memphis, TN address to view its FEMA flood map, zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
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 August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.