Enter any address in Banks County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Tropical storms and flash floods have been the most frequent types of flooding events in Banks County over the past 30 years, according to NOAA Storm Events data. For example, Hurricane Helene brought widespread heavy rainfall to the region in September 2024, and remnants of Hurricane Delta contributed to flooding in October 2020. Tropical Storm Zeta also caused isolated flooding in October 2020.
While flood insurance claims are infrequent, one claim was filed in Zone A, with an average payout of $53,458. Another claim was filed in Zone X, with no payout and no reported water depth. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in any zone who have experienced flooding or are located near waterways, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Banks County, Georgia has recorded 32 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 29, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 15, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Ivan | Hurricane | Sep 14, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 3.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Oct 10, 2020 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 19, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2013 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 4, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 12, 2009 | 5.00K |
Tropical Storm — Sep 27, 2024
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida at 11 PM EDT. Helene moved quickly inland bringing wind gusts between 50 and 100 mph to portions of east and central Georgia. Widespread rainfall totals between 6 and 14 inches were observed in association with Helene across north and central Georgia. The highest rainfall amounts were primarily observed i...
Tropical Storm — Oct 29, 2020
During the late evening of October 28th through the morning of October 29th, Tropical Storm Zeta swept rapidly across north Georgia producing widespread wind damage and isolated flooding across north and portions of central Georgia. Around 1.5 million customers lost electricity for some period of time, some for several days.
Flash Flood — Oct 10, 2020
During the afternoon and evening of October 10th, as the remnants of Hurricane Delta passed northwest of Georgia, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico spread across the area. Several weak tornadoes occurred in north and central Georgia in addition to pockets of heavy rainfall and flooding across the Atlanta metropolitan area and portions of northeast Georgia.
Flash Flood — Apr 19, 2019
Another in a series of deep upper-level troughs and its associated surface low and cold front moved through the region. Marginal instability but moderate to high shear and strong dynamics resulted in a line of strong thunderstorms, with isolated damaging winds and a few tornadoes, that swept through north and central Georgia during the morning. Training storms and ample moisture produced a swat...
Flash Flood — Nov 12, 2018
A series of weak surface low systems traversed the area, producing periods of heavy rain over north Georgia late on November 11th through November 12th. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches occurred, combining with the already saturated soils to produce isolated flash flooding in portions of the north Atlanta metropolitan area.
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 Banks County, Georgia:
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 Banks County, Georgia 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.