Enter any address in Chatham County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Chatham County, GA, with 93 occurrences recorded in the last 30 years. Other significant flood types include tropical storms (57 events) and coastal flooding (46 events). Recent events include flash flooding on August 5, 2025, caused by heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding on October 10, 2025, which reached 10.35 ft MLLW at Fort Pulaski, exceeding levels typically associated with moderate coastal flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program data shows that Zone A properties have experienced the highest number of claims (2773) with an average payout of $17,187 and an average water depth of 1.6 feet. Zone X properties also show a significant number of claims (1407) with an average payout of $11,598 and an average water depth of 1.3 feet. Homeowners in coastal areas, properties near rivers, and homes located in zones without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
67 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Chatham County, Georgia has recorded 217 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 93 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2019 |
| Hurricane Michael | Hurricane | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2017 |
| Hurricane Matthew | Hurricane | Oct 4, 2016 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 23, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 10, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 9, 2025 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2025 | 0.00K |
Flood — Aug 23, 2025
Mid-level energy tracking across the region along with a deep moisture and modest instability residing near a stalled front led to an environment supportive of heavy rainfall across Southeast Georgia.
Flash Flood — Aug 22, 2025
A slow moving cold front encountering an environment displaying deep moisture and moderate instability supported thunderstorms capable of heavy rainfall across Southeast Georgia.
Coastal Flood — Oct 10, 2025
Strong northeast winds resulting from high pressure inland and developing low pressure offshore along with astronomical influences associated with a recent full moon and perigee, led to coastal flooding along coastal Southeast Georgia. A maximum tide level of 10.35 ft MLLW (2.85 ft MHHW) was observed at 1036 AM EST at the Fort Pulaski tide gage during this event. Moderate coastal flooding typic...
Coastal Flood — Oct 9, 2025
Strong northeast winds resulting from high pressure building inland and developing low pressure offshore along with astronomical influences associated with a recent full moon and perigee led to coastal flooding along the Southeast Georgia coast. A maximum tide level of 9.84 ft MLLW (2.33 ft MHHW) was observed at 936 AM EST at the Fort Pulaski tide gage during this event. Minor coastal flooding ...
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2025
A front nearby along with moderate instability and deep moisture led to an environment capable of producing heavy rainfall across Southeast Georgia.
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 Chatham 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 Chatham 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.