Enter any address in Wheeler County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Tropical storms and hurricanes have been the most frequent causes of flooding events in Wheeler County over the past 30 years, with 18 tropical storm events and 3 hurricane events recorded. For example, Hurricane Idalia brought 3 to 6 inches of rain and damage to trees and powerlines to the county in August 2023. More recently, Hurricane Helene in September 2024 caused widespread rainfall between 6 and 14 inches across central Georgia.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced 8 claims with an average payout of $6,132 and an average water depth of 10.1 feet. Two claims were recorded in Zone Unknown, with a higher average payout of $16,517. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, or those with properties that have historically experienced flooding, should pay particular 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.
Wheeler County, Georgia has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 18 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | — |
| Hurricane (Typhoon) | Sep 27, 2024 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | 15.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 22, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 2, 2016 | — |
Tropical Storm — 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...
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...
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...
Flash Flood — Jan 22, 2017
The atmosphere over north and central Georgia was extremely moist and unstable, with copious amounts of moisture accompanying severe storms beginning on January 21st. Heavy rainfall amounts on the order of 3.5 to 6 inches in a 24-hour period were not uncommon across portions of north and central Georgia, resulting in flash flooding.
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 Wheeler 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 Wheeler 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.