Enter any address in Clayton County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is a significant flood event type in Clayton County, GA. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data indicates 16 flash flood events, alongside 15 tropical storm events and 5 general flood events. For example, flash flooding occurred in August 2020 due to quickly accumulating rainfall from slow-moving storms. More recently, in October 2020, heavy rainfall and flooding were associated with the remnants of Hurricane Delta.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $14,511 for an average water depth of 1.4 feet. However, properties in Zone X have seen higher average payouts of $8,964, despite a lower average claim count, with an average water depth of 5.2 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas designated as Zone UNKNOWN with an average water depth of 8.5 feet, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
16 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clayton County, Georgia has recorded 39 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 5 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 (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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Ivan | Hurricane | Sep 14, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 1998 |
| Hurricane Opal | Hurricane | Oct 4, 1995 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 30, 2020 | 35.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Oct 10, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 10, 2020 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2019 | 45.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2018 | 40.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 2.00M |
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 — Aug 30, 2020
A very moist and moderately unstable air mass persisted over the region. Strong daytime heating resulted in isolated strong to severe thunderstorms over parts of north and central Georgia. Training and slow-moving storms produced heavy rainfall, with isolated amounts of 3 to 5 inches. Flash flooding occurred in Clayton County due to the quickly accumulating rainfall amounts.
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 — Oct 10, 2020
During the afternoon and evening of October 10th, as the remnants of Hurricane Delta passed northwest of Georgia, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico spread across the area. Several weak tornadoes occurred in north and central Georgia in addition to pockets of heavy rainfall and flooding across the Atlanta metropolitan area and portions of northeast Georgia.
Flash Flood — Jun 8, 2019
Deep moisture associated with a low pressure system produced widespread showers and thunderstorms over north and central Georgia on June 8. Widespread rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches were common along and just north of the I-20 corridor, with isolated higher amounts to 6.5 inches. These heavy rainfall amounts, combined with already wet conditions, produced isolated flash flooding.
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 Clayton 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 Clayton 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.