Enter any address in Ben Hill County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event recorded in Ben Hill County over the past 30 years. Recent examples include flash flooding reported in May 2024 and March 2024, associated with severe weather systems moving through the region. Tropical storms and hurricanes have also impacted the county, with Hurricane Helene making landfall in September 2024, bringing significant wind and surge impacts to nearby coastal areas and moving inland.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced higher average payouts and water depths compared to Zone X. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) on file, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ben Hill County, Georgia has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Hurricane Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Michael | Hurricane | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Mar 26, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Tropical Storm Frances | Hurricane | Sep 3, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 1998 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Hurricane (Typhoon) | Sep 26, 2024 | 10.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | 250.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Nov 10, 2022 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2021 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2021 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2021 | 100.00K |
Flash Flood — May 27, 2024
Multiple rounds of severe storms impacted portions of southern Georgia during the May 25-28 period. Large hail and damaging wind gusts were reported, along with a few reports of flash flooding.
Hurricane (Typhoon) — 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 — Jul 20, 2024
Slow moving thunderstorms produced localized flash flooding across the area.
Flash Flood — Mar 9, 2024
A line of thunderstorms moved through the tri-state area ahead of a cold front. Severe weather and flash flooding accompanied this line, mainly across southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia, although a few trees were also blown down in northwest Florida. One tornado was reported in Dale County, AL, and another tornado briefly occurred in northeast Leon County, FL extending into Jefferson count...
Tropical Storm — Aug 30, 2023
Hurricane Idalia made landfall on the morning of August 30th along the coast of Taylor County Florida near Keaton Beach at approximately 745 am EDT. The hurricane made landfall with estimated sustained winds of 125 mph, making it a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, the first major hurricane on record to make landfall in this portion of Florida. Hurricane Idalia mo...
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 Ben Hill 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 Ben Hill 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.