Enter any address in Liberty County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Tropical storms and hurricanes have been the most frequent flood-related events in Liberty County over the last 30 years, with 19 tropical storm events and 4 hurricane events recorded. For example, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida in late September 2024, and Tropical Storm Debby, which reached hurricane strength, impacted the region in early August 2024. Storm surge and coastal flooding have also occurred, as seen with Hurricane Nicole in November 2022.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $21,663 and an average water depth of 4.4 feet. While Zone X has fewer claims, the average water depth recorded was 13.2 feet, though with a significantly lower average payout of $4,821. Residents in coastal areas, as well as those in Zone A and Zone X, should pay particular 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.
Liberty County, Georgia has recorded 42 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Hurricane Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2019 |
| Hurricane Michael | Hurricane | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2017 |
| Hurricane Matthew | Hurricane | Oct 4, 2016 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 | — (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Aug 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Nov 10, 2022 | — |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Sep 11, 2017 | 2.90M |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 7, 2016 | — |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Oct 7, 2016 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 2, 2016 | — |
| Tropical Storm | May 29, 2012 | 0.50K |
| Tropical Storm | May 27, 2012 | 0.50K |
Tropical Storm — Sep 26, 2024
Helene first developed into a tropical storm in the northwest Caribbean Sea in the late morning of September 24, and strengthened into a hurricane near the Yucatan peninsula about 24 hours later. Helene continued to strengthen and became a major hurricane as it moved to the north-northeast across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida in the late even...
Flood — Aug 7, 2024
Debby first developed into a tropical storm about 100 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida late afternoon on August 3rd, then gradually strengthened to a strong tropical storm while tracking north across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on August 4th. Debby then reached hurricane force strength late on August 4th about 100 miles west-northwest of Tampa, before continuing a north-northeast track ...
Storm Surge/Tide — Nov 10, 2022
Nicole first developed as a Subtropical Storm about 550 miles east of the northwest Bahamas in the morning of Monday, November 7th. Nicole remained a Subtropical Storm for a little over 24 hours, but eventually transitioned to a Tropical Storm late in the morning of Tuesday, November 8th. Nicole steadily strengthened and became a Hurricane in the early evening of Wednesday, November 9th, when i...
Storm Surge/Tide — Sep 11, 2017
Irma first developed into a tropical storm on August 30th about 420 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands, and within 24 hours strengthened into a hurricane. Irma continued to intensify and became a major hurricane over the eastern Atlantic on September 1st. After undergoing a brief period of weakening on September 2nd, Irma once again strengthened into a major hurricane on September 3rd and m...
Tropical Storm — Oct 7, 2016
Matthew first developed into a Tropical Storm about 35 miles southeast of St. Lucia on September 28 before quickly strengthening into a powerful hurricane as it tracked westward across the Caribbean Sea. Matthew then became a hurricane about 190 miles northeast of Curacao on September 29th before reaching Category 5 strength the following day. Matthew then weakened slightly while turning north ...
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 Liberty 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 Liberty 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.