Albany, Georgia Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Albany faces significant flooding from the Flint River, which caused catastrophic damage during Tropical Storm Alberto in 1994 and Hurricane Michael in 2018. The city's low-lying position along the Flint River floodplain makes it one of Georgia's most flood-prone communities.
Dougherty County has recorded 1,255 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $28.4M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 4
NFIP Policies
1,198
Dougherty County
Avg. Premium
$1,022/yr
Dougherty County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Dougherty County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $22.4M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $4.9M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Dougherty County
Dougherty County has been included in 7 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 2 earlier declarations since 1966.
These declarations affected communities across Dougherty County, including Albany.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Dougherty County
Properties in Dougherty County have filed 1,255 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $28.4M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $23K.
Highest-Claim Years
1994
540 claims - $21.1M
1998
512 claims - $4.6M
2009
29 claims - $423K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Dougherty County
An estimated 4% of households in Dougherty County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Penetration Rate
4%
Claims Ratio
1 in 1
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$22,622
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Dougherty County
Dougherty County has 96 properties with multiple flood losses, including 16 severe repetitive loss properties. 2 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
96
Severe Rep. Loss
16
Mitigated
2
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: DOUGHERTY County
NOAA has recorded 65 flood events in DOUGHERTY County since 1996, causing $1.4M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Dougherty County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 563 properties in Dougherty County, investing $280K in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Albany
Albany faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Albany are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $22.4M.
Riverine flood risk in Albany is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Albany address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Albany
Albany participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Albany's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Albany, GA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Albany, GA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Albany are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Albany?
If your Albany property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Albany?
Enter your Albany address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Albany offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Albany participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Albany experienced major flooding events?
Dougherty County, where Albany is located, has been part of 7 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Michael in 2018. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Albany?
Dougherty County has recorded 1,255 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $28.4M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1994, with 540 claims and $21.1M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Albany.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Albany?
Dougherty County currently has 1,198 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,022. The most policies are in Zone AE (723 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Albany properties have flooded repeatedly?
Dougherty County has 96 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 16 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Albany property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Albany?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Albany's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Georgia Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Albany, GA Address
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.