Enter any address in Clarke County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Clarke County. Recent events include a flash flood on January 4, 2023, caused by a developing system bringing moist southerly winds and isolated severe thunderstorms. Another flash flood event occurred on August 17, 2016, when nearly stationary thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall of 3 to 5 inches in less than two hours over the southern portion of the county. Tropical Storm Zeta also brought isolated flooding to the area on October 29, 2020.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that Zone A, typically areas with higher flood risk, accounted for 17 claims with an average payout of $4,046 and an average water depth of 0.3 feet. Zone X, generally considered moderate to low flood risk, had 10 claims with a higher average payout of $5,733, though the average water depth was -0.4 feet, indicating some claims may have been for minor inundation or related damages. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED with an average water depth of 0.5 feet, 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.
Clarke County, Georgia has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 13 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 Michael | Hurricane | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 22, 2000 |
| Drought | Drought | Jul 20, 1977 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jan 4, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2016 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2016 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 30, 2015 | 3.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 4, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2009 | 5.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Nov 10, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 21, 2008 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jan 4, 2023
A strong developing system over brought moist southerly winds across the north and central Georgia, creating isolated severe thunderstorms and flash flooding on the afternoon and evening of January 3rd. The severe weather threat continued into Wednesday, January 4th, as the storm progressed eastward and brought a cold front across the area, producing isolated damaging wind gusts.
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.
Tropical Storm — Sep 11, 2017
On the morning of August 30th Tropical Storm Irma developed rapidly over the eastern Atlantic Ocean, just west of the Cape Verde Islands. Tropical Irma quickly strengthened as it moved west, reaching hurricane strength by the morning of August 31st. Hurricane Irma continued to move steadily westward across the Atlantic Ocean, intensifying to category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale as it ap...
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2016
The atmosphere over north Georgia was unstable and very moist due to precipitable water values approaching two inches. Nearly stationary or slow moving thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall of 3 to 5 inches in less than two hours over south portions of Clarke County in the evening. This caused localized flash flooding and heavy rain damage in the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. These thunder...
Flash Flood — Aug 4, 2016
The atmosphere over north Georgia was unstable and very moist due to precipitable water values approaching two inches. Nearly stationary or slow moving thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall of 3 to 5 inches in less than two hours over the Athens area in the evening. This caused localized flash flooding and heavy rain damage in the west and south portions of Athens.
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 Clarke 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 Clarke 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.