Enter any address in Gwinnett County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Gwinnett County, with 31 occurrences in the last 30 years. Tropical storms and hurricanes have also contributed to flooding, with 14 tropical storm events and 3 hurricane events recorded in the same period. Recent events include heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Helene in September 2024 and flash flooding from thunderstorms in August 2023, which brought torrential rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $24,006 and an average water depth of 5.8 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED also show a significant average payout of $30,850, with an average water depth of 4.2 feet, despite fewer claims. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_UNSHADED, and those without a designated Base Flood Elevation (BFE) should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
27 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Gwinnett County, Georgia has recorded 62 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 31 flash floods and 14 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 Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 18, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 22, 2000 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 1998 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2023 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2023 | 40.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — (2 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 23, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2017 | 5.00K |
Tropical Storm — Sep 26, 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 — Aug 17, 2021
The remains of Tropical Storm Fred moved across central and north Georgia as a tropical depression during the overnight hours through the morning producing isolated reports of damaging winds in convective bands and several tornadoes. No reports of wind damage were received outside of the stronger convective bands. Rainfall amounts exceeded 4 inches in portions of northeast Georgia, with 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 — Jul 13, 2018
A very moist and moderately unstable atmosphere combined with strong daytime heating to produce isolated severe thunderstorms each afternoon into the evening hours.
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 Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett 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.