Enter any address in Burke County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding is the most frequent flood event recorded in Burke County over the last 30 years, with 20 occurrences. These events are often associated with heavy rainfall, as seen with flash flooding in September 2024, linked to Tropical Storm Helene. Other flood-related events include general floods, tropical storms, and tropical depressions.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced flooding with an average water depth of 2.0 feet, resulting in an average payout of $60,550. Properties in Zone X have also filed claims, with an average payout of $1,275 and an average water depth of -2.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas prone to flash flooding or located near waterways, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Burke County, Georgia has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 (1977–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Hurricane Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2024 |
| Hurricane Idalia | Hurricane | Aug 30, 2023 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Matthew | Hurricane | Oct 4, 2016 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 1.40M (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 30, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | 85.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 12, 2022 | 75.00K |
Tropical Storm — Sep 27, 2024
Tropical Storm Helene formed in the NW Caribbean Sea on September 24. Helene moved northward into the Gulf of Mexico where it strengthened into a hurricane on September 25. Helene made landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida the night of September 26 before quickly moving inland into east central Georgia by early morning on September 27. Helene weakened to a strong tropica...
Flash Flood — Sep 26, 2024
Tropical Storm Helene formed in the NW Caribbean Sea on September 24. Helene moved northward into the Gulf of Mexico where it strengthened into a hurricane on September 25. During the day on September 26, Helene remained off the coast of Florida and an upper low over the southeast US led to strong moisture transport and strong forcing over the area. Heavy rain rates and training bands led to fl...
Flash Flood — Jul 6, 2024
A weak front acted as a trigger for multiple slow-moving thunderstorms with heavy rain that caused flash flooding in portions of east central GA.
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2024
Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Debby occurred across the CSRA for several days. The event peaked in this region on August 6th in Burke County where multiple reports of flooding were reported.
Flood — Aug 6, 2024
Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Debby occurred across the CSRA for several days. The event peaked in this region on August 6th in Burke County where multiple reports of flooding were reported.
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 Burke 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 Burke 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.