Enter any address in Telfair County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Tropical storms and associated flooding are the primary flood drivers in Telfair County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data indicates 17 tropical storm events, 9 flood events, 6 flash flood events, and 3 hurricane events. For example, in August 2023, Hurricane Idalia brought tropical storm-force winds and 3 to 6 inches of rain to the county, causing damage to trees and powerlines. More recently, Hurricane Helene in September 2024 brought widespread rainfall totals between 6 and 14 inches to central Georgia.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced flooding, with an average payout of $16,153 and an average water depth of 13.6 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, particularly those near rivers or in low-lying areas, should pay close 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.
Telfair County, Georgia has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 6 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 18 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 |
| 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 Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Mar 26, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Tropical Storm Frances | Hurricane | Sep 3, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane (Typhoon) | Sep 27, 2024 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | 7.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 4, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 22, 2017 | 2.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 150.00K |
Hurricane (Typhoon) — 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...
Tropical Storm — Aug 30, 2023
Hurricane Idalia made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a category 3 hurricane. As Idalia moved inland to the northeast, it brought tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain to much of south Georgia, including far southeast counties of NWS Peachtree City CWFA (Telfair to Toombs county) where winds gusted between 40-50 mph and 3 to 6 inches of rain occurred. Damage to trees and power...
Flash Flood — Mar 4, 2020
During the day on March 4, enhanced moisture over the state produced a swath of heavy rainfall over portions of south and central Georgia. An area of 3 to 6 inches of rain fell over an area stretching from Stewart County eastward to Toombs County. Isolated higher amounts of up to 8 inches, particularly over Stewart County. This heavy rainfall fell on already wet soils, exacerbating the impact. ...
Flash Flood — Jun 12, 2019
Deep moisture and daytime heating produced showers and thunderstorms in the along a stalled boundary in the afternoon and evening of June 12th. Rainfall amounts ranged from 1.5 to 4 inches, and were concentrated along a swath from Abbeville to Toombs in central Georgia. These rainfall amounts produced isolated flash flooding.
Tropical Storm — Oct 10, 2018
Hurricane Michael made landfall along the Florida panhandle at Mexico beach (just southeast of Panama City) on the afternoon of October 10, 2018 as a high-end Category 4 hurricane (max winds of 155 MPH). Michael then moved rapidly inland, causing widespread wind damage along its path as it swept northeast across south and central Georgia. Hurricane Michael was the first major hurricane, categor...
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 Telfair 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 Telfair 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.