Enter any address in Paulding County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Paulding County, with 19 recorded instances in the last 30 years. Tropical storms and general flooding events also occur, totaling 23 occurrences over the same period. Recent events include significant rainfall and flooding associated with Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024 and flash flooding from thunderstorms in December 2021.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone X, which are typically at lower risk, have filed 31 claims averaging $9,463 with an average water depth of 2.7 feet. Properties in Zone A, designated as high-risk areas, have filed 16 claims averaging $25,561 with an average water depth of 4.4 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in low-lying areas or near waterways, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
19 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Paulding County, Georgia has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 |
| Tropical Storm Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 29, 2020 |
| 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 10, 2014 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 18, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 22, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | — |
| Flood | Mar 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 4, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 3, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Oct 10, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 40.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 4, 2011 | 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...
Flood — Mar 31, 2021
Strong thunderstorms ahead of a cold front produced numerous reports of flooding across portions of north Georgia and scattered reports of damaging winds across parts of north and central Georgia. Rainfall was highest over far northwest Georgia where totals ranged from 2 to 3.5 inches with locally higher amounts.
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...
Flash Flood — May 4, 2021
A series of upper-level short waves moved across the region in persistent, southwesterly upper-level flow combined with moderate instability and shear to produce several rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms across north and central Georgia. Some of these storms dumped 2 to 4 inches of rain over the area, resulting in isolated flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 3, 2021
A series of upper-level short waves moved across the region in persistent, southwesterly upper-level flow combined with moderate instability and shear to produce several rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms across north and central Georgia. Some of these storms dumped 2 to 4 inches of rain over the area, resulting in isolated flash flooding.
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 Paulding 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 Paulding 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.