Enter any address in Effingham County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Tropical storms and flash floods have been the most frequent types of flooding events in Effingham County over the past 30 years, with 8 tropical storm events and 6 flash flood events recorded. For example, heavy rainfall from thunderstorms contributed to flash flooding on August 22, 2025. Additionally, the remnants of Tropical Storm Helene caused significant flooding on September 26, 2024.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced 42 claims averaging $19,108 with an average water depth of 5.3 feet. Properties in Zone X have had 28 claims, averaging $9,756 with an average water depth of 10.7 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, particularly those without a home built to Base Flood Elevation (BFE) standards, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Effingham County, Georgia has recorded 22 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 6 flash floods and 5 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 (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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 | — |
| Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 100.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 6, 2024 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | — |
| Tropical Depression | Jul 7, 2021 | — |
| Tropical Depression | Sep 4, 2019 | — |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Jun 6, 2013 | 1.00K |
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.
Tropical Storm — Sep 26, 2024
Helene first developed into a tropical storm in the northwest Caribbean Sea in the late morning of September 24, and strengthened into a hurricane near the Yucatan peninsula about 24 hours later. Helene continued to strengthen and became a major hurricane as it moved to the north-northeast across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida in the late even...
Flood — Aug 8, 2024
Debby first developed into a tropical storm about 100 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida late afternoon on August 3rd, then gradually strengthened to a strong tropical storm while tracking north across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on August 4th. Debby then reached hurricane force strength late on August 4th about 100 miles west-northwest of Tampa, before continuing a north-northeast track ...
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2024
Debby first developed into a tropical storm about 100 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida late afternoon on August 3rd, then gradually strengthened to a strong tropical storm while tracking north across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on August 4th. Debby then reached hurricane force strength late on August 4th about 100 miles west-northwest of Tampa, before continuing a north-northeast track ...
Tropical Storm — Aug 6, 2024
Debby first developed into a tropical storm about 100 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida late afternoon on August 3rd, then gradually strengthened to a strong tropical storm while tracking north across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on August 4th. Debby then reached hurricane force strength late on August 4th about 100 miles west-northwest of Tampa, before continuing a north-northeast track ...
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 Effingham 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 Effingham 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.