Enter any address in Newton County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Tropical storms and flash floods have been the most frequent types of flood-related events in Newton County over the past 30 years. For example, Hurricane Helene brought widespread rainfall between 6 and 14 inches to north and central Georgia in September 2024, and flash flooding occurred in December 2021 due to strong thunderstorms. Tropical Storm Zeta also caused isolated flooding in October 2020.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $20,647 and an average water depth of 4.6 feet. Properties in Zone X_Unshaded also had a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $15,605 and an average water depth of 0.9 feet. While Zone X had fewer claims, the average water depth was notably higher at 11.0 feet, with an average payout of $6,131.
Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X with a history of higher water depths, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Newton County, Georgia has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 8 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jan 12, 2023 |
| 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 Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 27, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 18, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2017 | 5.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 30, 2015 | 781.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 4, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 21, 2009 | 700.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2009 | 1.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Nov 10, 2009 | 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...
Flash Flood — Dec 30, 2021
Within an unseasonably warm and moist low-level environment, a strong southwest upper level flow with an intense mid-level shortwave ejecting across the Central Plains/Midwest regions resulted in a line of strong to severe thunderstorms (along with heavy rain) across north Georgia during the evening and overnight hours of 29-30 December 2021. The remnant boundary/front settled over central Geor...
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 — Jun 20, 2017
A stalled frontal boundary and anomalously moist air mass produced high rainfall amounts for several days, beginning June 19th. Multiple waves of precipitation including many training storms dropped high rainfall amounts over the metro Atlanta area and along the I-20 corridor. Rainfall amounts were generally 4-6 inches, with isolated amounts approaching 8 inches. Flash flooding resulted, especi...
Tropical Storm — Sep 11, 2017
On the morning of August 30th Tropical Storm Irma developed rapidly over the eastern Atlantic Ocean, just west of the Cape Verde Islands. Tropical Irma quickly strengthened as it moved west, reaching hurricane strength by the morning of August 31st. Hurricane Irma continued to move steadily westward across the Atlantic Ocean, intensifying to category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale as it ap...
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 Newton 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 Newton 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.