Enter any address in Houston County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Tropical storms and flash floods have been the most frequent types of flooding events in Houston County over the last 30 years. Recent events include heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024, which brought widespread totals of 6 to 14 inches to central Georgia. In September 2020, Tropical Storm Sally also produced 2 to 8 inches of rain across the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $9,646 and an average water depth of 2.4 feet. However, properties in Zone X, particularly Zone X_SHADED, have seen higher average payouts and, in the case of Zone X, significantly deeper water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas with higher average water depths and payouts, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
18 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Houston County, Georgia has recorded 38 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 17 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 (1966–2026)
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 Michael | Hurricane | Oct 9, 2018 |
| 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 |
| Tropical Storm Frances | Hurricane | Sep 3, 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 | Sep 27, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Apr 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 17, 2020 | 40.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 300.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2017 | 0.00K |
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 — 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 — Sep 17, 2020
A weakening Tropical Storm Sally moved into Georgia on September 16th, spreading heavy rainfall amounts and producing damaging winds in north and central Georgia. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 8 inches occurred, with the axis of heaviest rainfall extending from near Columbus, to Macon, to Augusta. The highest winds were observed in the metro Atlanta area as Sally's convective bands moved through lat...
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 Houston 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 Houston 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.