Skip to main content

Marietta, Georgia Flood Zones

Last updated: March 2026

Marietta faces flooding from Noonday Creek, Rottenwood Creek, and Sope Creek in Cobb County. Heavy rainfall events cause these creeks to overflow their banks and flood residential and commercial areas.

Cobb County has recorded 2,019 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $66.2M 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

2,825

Cobb County

Avg. Premium

$796/yr

Cobb County

FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Cobb 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 High

Est. annual loss: $125.3M

Hurricane Risk

Relatively Low

Est. annual loss: $660K

Social Vulnerability: Very Low
Community Resilience: Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.

Federal Flood Disaster History: Cobb County

Cobb County has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.

2017Hurricane IrmaHurricane
2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationHurricane
2004Hurricane IvanHurricane
1995Hurricane OpalHurricane
1966FloodingFlood

...and 1 earlier declaration since 1966.

These declarations affected communities across Cobb County, including Marietta.

Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.

NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Cobb County

Properties in Cobb County have filed 2,019 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $66.2M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $33K.

Highest-Claim Years

2009

723 claims - $44.5M

1982

172 claims - $1.1M

2005

147 claims - $3.2M

Claims by Flood Zone

Zone X
737(avg. $31K)
Zone AE
705(avg. $45K)
Zone A
543(avg. $22K)
Zone V
1

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.

Active NFIP Policies: Cobb County

Cobb County currently has 2,825 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $796, totaling $2.2M in annual premiums.

Average Annual Premium

Cobb County$796
National Average$915

Policies by Flood Zone

Zone X
1,297(avg. $616/yr)
Zone AE
1,135(avg. $1,076/yr)
Zone A
393(avg. $581/yr)

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Policies API. Data sourced March 2026.

Flood Insurance Coverage: Cobb County

An estimated 0.9% of households in Cobb County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.

Penetration Rate

0.9%

Claims Ratio

1 in 1

policies have filed a claim

Avg. Claim Payout

$32,768

Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.

Repetitive Loss Properties: Cobb County

Cobb County has 150 properties with multiple flood losses, including 21 severe repetitive loss properties. 19 properties have been mitigated.

Multiple Loss

150

Severe Rep. Loss

21

Mitigated

19

By Flood Zone

Zone AE
87
Zone X
42
Zone A
21

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.

Recorded Flood Events: COBB County

NOAA has recorded 47 flood events in COBB County since 1996, causing $41.1M in damage.

Costliest Events

21-SEP-09Flood$12.6M
21-SEP-09Flood$11.4M
11-JUL-05Flash Flood$6M
21-SEP-09Flood$5.7M
07-SEP-21Flash Flood$1.9M

Events by Type

Flash Flood
38
Flood
9

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.

Flood Mitigation: Cobb County

FEMA has funded mitigation for 315 properties in Cobb County, investing $5.8M in flood risk reduction.

By Action Type

Acquisition
311
Other
4

Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.

What Your Flood Zone Means in Marietta

Marietta 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 Marietta are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $125.3M.

Riverine flood risk in Marietta 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 Marietta address.

Flood Insurance Discount: Marietta

Marietta 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). Marietta'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.

Marietta, GA Flood Zone FAQ

What flood zones are in Marietta, GA?

The most common FEMA flood zones in Marietta 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 Marietta?

If your Marietta 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 Marietta?

Enter your Marietta 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 Marietta offer flood insurance discounts?

Yes. Marietta 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 Marietta experienced major flooding events?

Cobb County, where Marietta is located, has been part of 6 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Irma in 2017. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.

How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Marietta?

Cobb County has recorded 2,019 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $66.2M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2009, with 723 claims and $44.5M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Marietta.

How many flood insurance policies are active in Marietta?

Cobb County currently has 2,825 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $796. The most policies are in Zone X (1,297 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.

How many Marietta properties have flooded repeatedly?

Cobb County has 150 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 21 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 Marietta 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 Marietta?

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 Marietta'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.

Look Up Any Marietta, GA Address

Enter a Marietta, GA address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.

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.