Enter any address in Harris County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates flood risk in Harris County, GA. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 10 flash flood events, alongside 14 tropical storm events and 3 hurricane events. Recent examples include flash flooding reported on April 19, 2020, when training storms produced rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, and on February 4, 2022, with rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches.
While flood insurance claims in Zone A have lower average payouts and water depths, claims in Zone X show significantly higher average payouts and water depths, indicating potential for substantial damage even in areas not designated as high-risk. Homeowners in all flood zones, particularly those in Zone X and properties not built to Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Harris County, Georgia has recorded 33 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 6 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 Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 27, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Ivan | Hurricane | Sep 14, 2004 |
| Tropical Storm Frances | Hurricane | Sep 3, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Feb 4, 2022 | 20.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Apr 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2018 | 15.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 30, 2015 | 135.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 4, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 28, 2009 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Feb 4, 2022
A highly unstable and moist atmosphere promoted heavy rainfall over portions of west central and northeast Georgia as several disturbances traversed a stalled frontal boundary. Several reports of flash flooding were relayed in the early morning hours as rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches fell quickly over west central Georgia.
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 — Apr 19, 2020
A warm front over central Georgia combined with low pressure riding along this boundary produced wind damage and enhanced rainfall over the area. ||An axis of extremely heavy rainfall set up in a zone from Columbus to Warner Robins as the result of training storms along the warm front. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches were common, resulting in flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 23, 2018
The combination of enhanced atmospheric moisture and low pressure over central Alabama produced training, slow moving storms over west central Georgia. The most significant rainfall occurred early on May 23rd as a cluster of thunderstorms drifted southeast and continued to regenerate over the greater Columbus area, producing rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches, and locally higher amounts to aroun...
Tropical Storm — Oct 10, 2018
Hurricane Michael made landfall along the Florida panhandle at Mexico beach (just southeast of Panama City) on the afternoon of October 10, 2018 as a high-end Category 4 hurricane (max winds of 155 MPH). Michael then moved rapidly inland, causing widespread wind damage along its path as it swept northeast across south and central Georgia. Hurricane Michael was the first major hurricane, categor...
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 Harris 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 Harris 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.