Enter any address in Forsyth County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Forsyth County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 22 flash flood events, alongside 11 general flood events and 14 tropical storm events. For instance, heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Helene in September 2024 brought widespread totals of 6 to 14 inches to north and central Georgia, with the highest amounts in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. More recently, Tropical Storm Zeta in October 2020 caused isolated flooding across north Georgia.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A, which have a higher average flood payout and water depth, experience more significant flood damage compared to Zone X. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, and those in areas with unknown flood zone designations, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
22 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Forsyth County, Georgia has recorded 50 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 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 (1974–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 29, 2020 |
| 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 15, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| 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 | 1.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 100.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Dec 30, 2015 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2015 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 19, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 7, 2013 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2013 | 3.00K |
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 — 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 — Feb 6, 2020
A line of thunderstorms ahead of a strong cold front moved into northwest Georgia in the pre-dawn hours and swept across north and central Georgia through the morning into the afternoon producing numerous reports of damaging thunderstorm winds and an isolated tornado. Storms along the front also produced heavy rainfall, ranging from 1.5 to 4 inches, with higher amounts up to 6 inches, particula...
Flash Flood — Nov 12, 2018
A series of weak surface low systems traversed the area, producing periods of heavy rain over north Georgia late on November 11th through November 12th. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches occurred, combining with the already saturated soils to produce isolated flash flooding in portions of the north Atlanta metropolitan area.
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...
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 Forsyth 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 Forsyth 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.