Enter any address in Fulton County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Fulton County, GA, with 103 recorded instances in the last 30 years. Tropical storms and hurricanes have also impacted the area, contributing to significant rainfall. 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. More recently, in September 2023, severe thunderstorms produced extremely high rainfall rates, leading to flash flooding in downtown Atlanta and residential areas.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $40,349 and an average water depth of 5.3 feet. While Zone X properties have fewer claims, they still incur significant costs, with an average payout of $16,146 and an average water depth of 3.3 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in other zones who have experienced flooding, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
70 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Fulton County, Georgia has recorded 155 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 103 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1975–2026)
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 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2023 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 26, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2023 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 14, 2023 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 14, 2023 | 40.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 4, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 4, 2023 | 20.00K |
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...
Flash Flood — Aug 29, 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 — Mar 26, 2023
A prolonged, active weather pattern persisted across Georgia through late March, culminating in a series of disturbances that impacted the region March 25th through March 28th. In addition to numerous reports of damaging winds, hail and a few tornadoes, extreme rainfall amounts caused flash flooding over portions of the state. A swath of 4 or more inches of rain stretched from LaGrange, to Fors...
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 — Sep 14, 2023
A lingering boundary combined with an approaching shortwave to provide enough support and instability to support numerous showers and thunderstorms, including a few strong to severe storms. A severe thunderstorm over downtown Atlanta produced extremely high rainfall rates, accumulating 1 to 1.25 inches in 15 minutes. In total, this area received 2.5 to 3.0 inches, but in an hour or less, result...
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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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.