Enter any address in Catoosa County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Tropical storms and flash floods have been the most frequent types of flood-related events in Catoosa County over the last 30 years. Recent examples include Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024, which brought widespread rainfall, and flash flooding in March 2021 following strong thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $15,564 and an average water depth of 3.0 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen higher average payouts ($25,163) with an average water depth of 2.6 feet, while Zone X and Zone X_SHADED also show significant claim activity.
Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay particular attention to flood risk. Properties located in areas with higher average water depths and claim payouts, regardless of specific zone designation, warrant careful consideration.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Catoosa County, Georgia has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 24, 2024 |
| 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 10, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 27, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 18, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 22, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 31, 2021 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 17, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 3, 2016 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2013 | 3.00K |
| Flood | Mar 9, 2011 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2011 | 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...
Flash Flood — Mar 31, 2021
Strong thunderstorms ahead of a cold front produced numerous reports of flooding across portions of north Georgia and scattered reports of damaging winds across parts of north and central Georgia. Rainfall was highest over far northwest Georgia where totals ranged from 2 to 3.5 inches with locally higher amounts.
Flash Flood — Mar 17, 2021
A deep upper-level low and associated surface cold front swept through north and central Georgia. Heavy rainfall produced a few reports of flooding in north Georgia with a severe thunderstorm producing hail the size of quarters in central Georgia.
Tropical Storm — Oct 28, 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 — Jun 28, 2018
Thunderstorms, associated with another in a series of short waves traversing the region in a persistent northwesterly upper-level flow pattern resulted in widespread reports of damaging wind gusts across north Georgia through the morning hours and into central Georgia during the afternoon. Isolated flash flooding resulted from high rainfall rates and training storms.
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 Catoosa 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 Catoosa 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.