Enter any address in Whitfield County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event recorded in Whitfield County over the last 30 years, with 36 occurrences. Tropical storms and general flooding also contribute to flood risk, with 13 and 9 events respectively. Recent severe weather, such as the flash flooding events in March 2021, brought significant rainfall, with amounts ranging from 2.5 to over 8 inches in some areas.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that Zone A, typically areas with higher flood risk, has had the most claims (46) with an average payout of $70,697 and an average water depth of 1.5 feet. Zone X, representing moderate flood risk, has had 29 claims with an average payout of $39,803 and a slightly deeper average water depth of 1.9 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk designations, should pay close attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
35 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Whitfield County, Georgia has recorded 61 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 36 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 16 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2026)
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 Irma | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Opal | Hurricane | Oct 4, 1995 |
| Tornadoes, Flooding, And Severe Storms | Tornado | Mar 27, 1994 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Mar 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Apr 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 12, 2020 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 12, 2020 | 55.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 12, 2020 | 60.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 25, 2015 | 3.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 31, 2021
Strong thunderstorms ahead of a cold front produced numerous reports of flooding across portions of north Georgia and scattered reports of damaging winds across parts of north and central Georgia. Rainfall was highest over far northwest Georgia where totals ranged from 2 to 3.5 inches with locally higher amounts.
Flash Flood — Mar 25, 2021
A very moist and moderately unstable airmass over the region combined with strong shear and persistent southwesterly mid and upper flow produced numerous showers and thunderstorms across north and parts of central Georgia through the day on the 25th into the morning of the 26th. Numerous reports of flooding were received with several reports of severe thunderstorms and a few isolated tornadoes....
Tropical Storm — Oct 28, 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 — Apr 12, 2020
A powerful Spring storm system resulted in a Severe Weather / Tornado outbreak across much of the Southeast region, including north and central Georgia, beginning on Easter Sunday (April 12th) and lingering into the morning hours of April 13th. From the Storm Prediction Center (Day 1) convective outlook, just about the entire area was under an ENHANCED risk for severe weather with a MODERATE ri...
Flash Flood — Jul 6, 2018
An mid-level short wave moving slowly across the region, combined with a very moist and somewhat unstable airmass to produce isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms each afternoon into the evening hours.
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 Whitfield 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 Whitfield 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.