Enter any address in Gilmer County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding recorded in Gilmer County, GA. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data shows 29 flash flood events, alongside 13 tropical storm events, 3 hurricane events, and 2 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on March 31, 2021, caused by strong thunderstorms producing 2 to 3.5 inches of rain, and flash flooding on August 20, 2020, where slow-moving storms dropped 2.5 to 5 inches of rain in localized areas.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with 111 claims averaging $26,215 and an average water depth of 6.8 feet. Properties in Zone X have also seen claims, totaling 43 with an average payout of $27,249 and an average water depth of 3.5 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) established, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
21 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Gilmer County, Georgia has recorded 47 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 29 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. 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 |
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Mar 25, 2021 |
| 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 Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| 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 | Mar 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 20, 2020 | 12.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 20, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 24, 2015 | 1100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 24, 2015 | 300.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 24, 2015 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2014 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 31, 2021
Strong thunderstorms ahead of a cold front produced numerous reports of flooding across portions of north Georgia and scattered reports of damaging winds across parts of north and central Georgia. Rainfall was highest over far northwest Georgia where totals ranged from 2 to 3.5 inches with locally higher amounts.
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 — Aug 20, 2020
A deepening upper-level trough along with a moist and moderately unstable air mass resulted in scattered strong to severe thunderstorms each afternoon and evening, mainly along a stationary frontal boundary across north Georgia. Slow-moving and training storms produced 2.5 to 5 inches of rain in localized areas, producing flash flooding during the evening of August 20th.
Flash Flood — Jul 21, 2018
A series of short waves moving through an unseasonably strong northwesterly upper-level flow pattern brought several rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms across north and central Georgia. The first round swept through in the early morning hours producing large swathes of wind damage and a few reports of small to moderate size hail. Heavy rainfall also produced isolated flash flooding in por...
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 Gilmer 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 Gilmer 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.