Enter any address in Fayette County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Fayette County, GA, with 14 occurrences in the last 30 years. These events can be intense, as seen on December 30, 2021, when heavy rain from thunderstorms caused flash flooding. Tropical Storm Zeta also brought flooding to the region on October 28-29, 2020, causing widespread power outages.
National Flood Insurance Program data shows that while Zone A areas have the highest average water depth during flood events, Zone X_SHADED areas have experienced significant payouts with lower average water depths, suggesting potential for damage even in areas not typically considered high-risk. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED, as well as those in Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Fayette County, Georgia has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
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 Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Opal | Hurricane | Oct 4, 1995 |
| Tornadoes, Flooding Torrential Rain(trop Storm Alberto) | Tornado | Jul 3, 1994 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Dec 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 30, 2015 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 24, 2015 | 1000.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2013 | 6.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2011 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 4, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 24, 2010 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — Dec 30, 2021
Within an unseasonably warm and moist low-level environment, a strong southwest upper level flow with an intense mid-level shortwave ejecting across the Central Plains/Midwest regions resulted in a line of strong to severe thunderstorms (along with heavy rain) across north Georgia during the evening and overnight hours of 29-30 December 2021. The remnant boundary/front settled over central Geor...
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 — 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.
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 — Dec 30, 2015
Once again, persistent, deep and strong southwesterly upper-level flow across the eastern U.S. resulted in an extremely moist and moderately unstable atmosphere over North and Central Georgia. A stalled frontal boundary and a series of short waves in the southwesterly upper flow resulted in multiple rounds of heavy rain, and strong to severe thunderstorms, with widespread flash flooding and an ...
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 Fayette 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 Fayette 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.