Enter any address in Richmond County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Richmond County, with 32 occurrences recorded in the last 30 years. Recent examples include flash flooding in June 2023 and July 2024, caused by stalled weather fronts and persistent heavy rainfall. Tropical Storms have also impacted the area, with three events in the last 30 years resulting in seven fatalities.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $9,035 and water depths averaging 4.6 feet. Claims in Zone X, including X_UNSHADED, also represent a notable portion, with higher average payouts in Zone X_UNSHADED ($10,964) despite shallower average water depths (2.4 feet). Homeowners in Zone A, and those in other flood zones with a history of claims, should pay close attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Richmond County, Georgia has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 32 flash floods. The county has received 15 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 (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 |
| Hurricane Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Michael | Hurricane | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 1998 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 500.00M (7 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2023 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 17, 2020 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 11, 2018 | 25.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 10, 2018 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2017 | 0.10K |
Tropical Storm — Sep 27, 2024
Tropical Storm Helene formed in the NW Caribbean Sea on September 24. Helene moved northward into the Gulf of Mexico where it strengthened into a hurricane on September 25. Helene made landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida the night of September 26 before quickly moving inland into east central Georgia by early morning on September 27. Helene weakened to a strong tropica...
Flash Flood — Jul 6, 2024
A weak front acted as a trigger for multiple slow-moving thunderstorms with heavy rain that caused flash flooding in portions of east central GA.
Tropical Storm — Aug 30, 2023
Lifting up out of the Big Bend of Florida, Hurricane Idalia weakened to a Tropical Storm as it moved into southeastern Georgia. This system produced scattered tree damage and isolated flooding in the Central Savannah River Area.
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2023
An upper low, surface tropical wave, and a very moist atmosphere combined to produce rain in the Central Savannah River Area during the morning, which resulted in flooding of roads in Augusta.
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2023
An upper level cutoff low was located over central TN with precipitable water values around 2 inches with deep southerly flow. A warm front lifted through the area and stalled across the western Midlands of SC with elevated thunderstorms training along the front by evening. Instability and deep moisture favored persistent heavy rainfall rates.
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 Richmond 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 Richmond 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.