Enter any address in Washington County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Tropical storms and flash floods have been the most frequent types of flooding in Washington County over the past 30 years, with 13 tropical storm events and 7 flash flood events recorded. For example, heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Helene brought widespread totals between 6 and 14 inches to central Georgia in September 2024. Another instance of flash flooding occurred in September 2021 following a prolonged period of heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that both Zone A and Zone X areas have experienced flooding. Zone A areas had an average of 0.5 feet of water depth with an average payout of $22,912. Zone X areas, while less frequent in terms of water depth at an average of 16.0 feet, also had an average payout of $10,048. Residents in Zone A, and those in Zone X experiencing significant water depth, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Washington County, Georgia has recorded 27 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 |
| 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 |
| Tropical Storm Frances | Hurricane | Sep 3, 2004 |
| Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm | Snowstorm | Mar 13, 1993 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane (Typhoon) | Sep 27, 2024 | — (2 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2021 | 30.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Sep 17, 2020 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 17, 2020 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 17, 2020 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2017 | 0.00K |
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...
Flash Flood — Sep 20, 2021
Amidst a prolonged wet and soggy period, another round of heavy rainfall over central Georgia triggered isolated flash flooding through the day on September 20th. Though much of the flooding occurred during the first half of the day, another localized report of flash flooding was reported late in the evening with another round of shower activity.
Tropical Storm — Oct 29, 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 — Sep 17, 2020
A weakening Tropical Storm Sally moved into Georgia on September 16th, spreading heavy rainfall amounts and producing damaging winds in north and central Georgia. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 8 inches occurred, with the axis of heaviest rainfall extending from near Columbus, to Macon, to Augusta. The highest winds were observed in the metro Atlanta area as Sally's convective bands moved through lat...
Flash Flood — Aug 23, 2019
Ample moisture and a moderately unstable atmosphere combined with very strong afternoon heating to produce scattered strong to severe thunderstorms each afternoon and evening across north and central Georgia. These storms produced quickly accumulating rainfall, producing localized flash flooding in eastern Georgia.
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 Washington 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 Washington 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.