Enter any address in Holmes County, Florida to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding events are the most frequent type of flood reported in Holmes County, FL, over the past 30 years, with 63 recorded instances. This is followed closely by 49 flash flood events. Tropical storms and hurricanes have also impacted the county, with 15 tropical storm events and 4 hurricane events recorded in the same period.
Recent events illustrate the potential for significant rainfall and associated flooding. For example, a major flash flood event occurred in April 2024, bringing 6 to 10 inches of rain and causing rapid water rises, flooding vehicles and structures. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall nearby, producing a devastating storm surge exceeding 15 feet along the coast and moving inland, impacting surrounding counties.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $17,546 and an average water depth of 5.9 feet. However, properties in Zone X have seen higher average payouts ($18,830) and significantly deeper water ($15.5 feet). Residents in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and areas with unknown flood risk, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
89 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Holmes County, Florida has recorded 131 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 49 flash floods and 63 river or area floods. The county has received 39 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 (1975–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 23, 2024 |
| Hurricane Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 1, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 1, 2024 |
| Hurricane Nicole | Hurricane | Nov 7, 2022 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2022 |
| Tropical Storm Ian | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2022 |
| Tropical Storm Fred | Hurricane | Aug 13, 2021 |
| Hurricane Sally | Hurricane | Sep 14, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 24, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 16, 2021 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Jul 12, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 26, 2024
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and a minimum central pressure of 938 mb (27.70 inches) at about 11:10 PM EDT on Thursday, September 26th, in Taylor County Florida just east of the Aucilla River. Helene quickly moved inland across Taylor and Madison Counties before moving into Lowndes County in South Central Georgia. The hurricane...
Tropical Storm — Sep 26, 2024
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and a minimum central pressure of 938 mb (27.70 inches) at about 11:10 PM EDT on Thursday, September 26th, in Taylor County Florida just east of the Aucilla River. Helene quickly moved inland across Taylor and Madison Counties before moving into Lowndes County in South Central Georgia. The hurricane...
Flash Flood — Sep 25, 2024
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and a minimum central pressure of 938 mb (27.70 inches) at about 11:10 PM EDT on Thursday, September 26th, in Taylor County Florida just east of the Aucilla River. Helene quickly moved inland across Taylor and Madison Counties before moving into Lowndes County in South Central Georgia. The hurricane...
Flash Flood — May 17, 2024
During the early morning hours of May 17th, a long lived derecho that impacted the north central Gulf coast clipped portions of Gulf and Franklin counties with significant wind gusts in excess of hurricane force measured, along with impacts to trees and power lines and minor structural damage. Later in the day and on May 18th, additional rounds of severe storms impacted the tri-state area with ...
Flash Flood — Apr 10, 2024
A major flash flood event occurred across portions of the Florida big bend and southern Georgia during the late night hours of April 10th through the early morning hours of April 11th. Between 6 and 10 inches of rain fell with localized higher amounts, particularly over Tallahassee. This resulted in rapid water rises across Tallahassee with numerous cars and structures flooded. Several milli...
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 Holmes County, Florida:
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 Holmes County, Florida 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.