Enter any address in DeKalb County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in DeKalb County, GA, with 55 recorded instances in the last 30 years. Tropical storms and general flooding also contribute to flood risk. For example, Hurricane Helene in September 2024 brought widespread rainfall totals between 6 and 14 inches to north and central Georgia, with the highest amounts observed in the Atlanta Metropolitan area.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that Zone A, typically areas of higher flood risk, has had the most claims with 958, averaging $17,323 in payouts and 2.8 feet of water depth. However, Zone X, which includes areas with moderate flood risk, has also seen significant claims (405), with an average payout of $13,605 and a notable average water depth of 3.3 feet.
Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and X_SHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) designation and those located in areas prone to flash flooding or receiving heavy rainfall from tropical systems warrant particular consideration.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
45 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
DeKalb County, Georgia has recorded 89 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 55 flash floods and 11 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 And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 18, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Ivan | Hurricane | Sep 14, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 12.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 | 20.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 4, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2022 | 0.00K |
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...
Tropical Storm — Sep 26, 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 28, 2023
Thunderstorms formed along a stationary boundary located draped across west-central and northwest GA on the 28th and 29th. Significant tropical moisture ahead of Hurricane Idalia led to several thunderstorms becoming strong to severe. The main hazards included damaging winds and torrential rainfall.
Flash Flood — Jul 21, 2023
Strong to severe thunderstorms moved across much of north and central GA during the afternoon and evening hours of July 21st. Numerous reports of damaging winds, along with significant flash flooding (around downtown Atlanta) occurred along the I-20 corridor. Another area impacted by damaging winds occurred from Stewart County (far SE part of the FFC forecast area) to near Swainsboro in Emanuel...
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.
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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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.