Enter any address in Stephens County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flood reported in Stephens County over the last 30 years. Recent examples include flash flooding on April 19, 2019, following 3.5 to 6 inches of rain in a few hours, and on January 24, 2010, when 3 to 4 inches of rain fell on saturated ground. Tropical Storm Zeta also impacted the area on October 29, 2020, bringing strong winds and downed trees that damaged structures.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent flood events, with an average payout of $10,360. Properties in Zone X have also filed claims, with an average payout of $2,480, though these claims reported a higher average water depth of 5.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in any flood zone with a history of claims, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Stephens County, Georgia has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2026)
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 15, 2015 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 19, 2019 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 24, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 20, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2009 | 4.50M |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2005 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2005 | — |
| Flood | Sep 16, 2004 | 50K |
Tropical Storm — Oct 29, 2020
Tropical Storm Zeta moved quickly from near the mouth of the Mississippi River to the southern Appalachians during the night of the 28th into the morning of the 29th. This resulted in frequent wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph, with occasional gusts as high as 60 mph across northeast Georgia throughout the morning. Numerous trees were blown down across the area, with hundreds of downed trees reported ...
Flash Flood — Apr 19, 2019
A large area of moderate to heavy rain showers, along with embedded clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms moved slowly across northeast Georgia throughout the morning and into the afternoon of the 19th ahead of a slow-moving cold front. Some of the storms produced locally damaging winds, some of which were significant. However, the larger impact was from flash flooding resulting from a swa...
Flash Flood — Aug 7, 2013
Slow moving thunderstorms developed in a very moist, low shear airmass over northeast Georgia. A small area of flash flooding was reported in association with the storms.
Flash Flood — Jan 24, 2010
Widespread heavy rain affected the region ahead of a slow moving cold front. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches were common across northeast Georgia. Flash flooding developed as a result of the heavy rain falling on already saturated ground.
Flood — Sep 20, 2009
Periods of heavy rain fell between the 18th and 22nd across northeast Georgia, with the heaviest rain falling on the 20th. Stephens County was by far the most heavily affected area in the extreme northeast part of the state. Over 17 inches of rain was reported by one observer for the 5 day period in this area. Other intense flash flooding also affected areas closer to Atlanta.
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 Stephens 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 Stephens 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.