Enter any address in Wilkes County, Georgia to see its FEMA flood zone
Tropical storms and associated heavy rainfall are the dominant flood character in Wilkes County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 16 tropical storm events, along with 4 flash flood and 6 flood events. For example, in January 2020, heavy rainfall combined with wet soils resulted in isolated flash flooding across portions of north and central Georgia. More recently, in September 2024, Hurricane Helene brought widespread rainfall totals between 6 and 14 inches to north and central Georgia.
Residents in areas prone to flash flooding and those located near rivers or streams should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wilkes County, Georgia has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 4 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 17 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 |
| 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 And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 10, 2014 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Ivan | Hurricane | Sep 14, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jan 13, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 13, 2020 | 40.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 11, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2017 | 200.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 4, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 29, 2009 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2009 | 5.00K |
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...
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 — Jan 13, 2020
Following an incredibly wet beginning to January, another round of heavy rainfall occurred on January 13th as ample moisture continued to produce heavy rainfall over a stalled system. The rainfall amounts, combined with extremely wet soils resulted in isolated flash flooding over portions of north and central Georgia. Widespread rainfall amounts were generally 1 to 3 inches, with the heaviest a...
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2018
Persistent, strong southwesterly upper-level flow over the region combined with a very moist atmosphere to produce widespread thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall, and an isolated report of thunderstorm wind damage.
Tropical Storm — Oct 11, 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.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Wilkes 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 Wilkes 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.