Enter any address in Jackson County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Jackson County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 16 flash flood events, alongside 13 tropical storm events and 2 hurricane events that have contributed to significant rainfall. For example, in September 2020, Tropical Storm Sally brought 2 to 8 inches of rain to the region, causing flash flooding. Later that same month, the remnants of Hurricane Delta also produced heavy rainfall and flooding.
NFIP claims data indicates that while Zone A properties have seen fewer claims, the average payout for those claims is significantly higher than for Zone X properties. Zone X properties have experienced more frequent claims, though with substantially lower average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X with a history of claims, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Jackson County, Georgia has recorded 32 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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 (1976–2026)
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 15, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 22, 2000 |
| Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm | Snowstorm | Mar 13, 1993 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Sep 17, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 10, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 19, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2016 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2013 | 3.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 4, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2010 | 10.00K |
Tropical Storm — Oct 29, 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 — 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...
Flash Flood — Oct 10, 2020
During the afternoon and evening of October 10th, as the remnants of Hurricane Delta passed northwest of Georgia, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico spread across the area. Several weak tornadoes occurred in north and central Georgia in addition to pockets of heavy rainfall and flooding across the Atlanta metropolitan area and portions of northeast Georgia.
Flash Flood — Apr 19, 2019
Another in a series of deep upper-level troughs and its associated surface low and cold front moved through the region. Marginal instability but moderate to high shear and strong dynamics resulted in a line of strong thunderstorms, with isolated damaging winds and a few tornadoes, that swept through north and central Georgia during the morning. Training storms and ample moisture produced a swat...
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2019
A strong upper-level low lifting northeast out of the lower Mississippi Valley generated widespread thunderstorms across north and central Georgia. A moderate unstable air mass over the region resulted in isolated severe thunderstorms with damaging thunderstorm wind gusts, and periods of heavy rain.
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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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.