Enter any address in Pickens County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Pickens County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 16 flash flood events, alongside 13 tropical storm events and 4 flood events. For example, on February 6, 2020, heavy rainfall between 1.5 and 6 inches produced flash flooding across the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $16,301. Properties in Zone X and X_UNSHADED also have claims, with average payouts of $5,178 and $2,569 respectively. Residents in Zone A, and those in areas not mapped by FEMA or without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
14 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Pickens County, Georgia has recorded 36 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2026)
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 And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Mar 25, 2021 |
| 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 Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 15, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 24, 2015 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2013 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2013 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2013 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2013 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 4, 2011 | 0.00K |
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 — Feb 6, 2020
A line of thunderstorms ahead of a strong cold front moved into northwest Georgia in the pre-dawn hours and swept across north and central Georgia through the morning into the afternoon producing numerous reports of damaging thunderstorm winds and an isolated tornado. Storms along the front also produced heavy rainfall, ranging from 1.5 to 4 inches, with higher amounts up to 6 inches, particula...
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2019
Broad but weak upper-level ridging persisted across the region. However, ample moisture and a moderately unstable atmosphere resulted in isolated to scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms and isolated reports of severe weather each day. Rainfall amounts associated with these storms were generally 1.5 to 2.5 inches, with isolated areas of 3 to 5 inches.
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...
Flash Flood — Dec 24, 2015
Persistent, deep and strong southwesterly upper-level flow across the eastern U.S. resulted in an extremely moist and moderately unstable atmosphere over North and Central Georgia. A stalled frontal boundary and a series of short waves in the southwesterly upper flow resulted in multiple rounds of heavy rain, and strong to severe thunderstorms, with widespread flash flooding, damaging thunders...
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 Pickens 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 Pickens 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.