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FludZone

Tybee Island, Georgia Flood Zones

Tybee Island is Georgia's most flood-vulnerable community, with nearly 100% of the island mapped in VE or AE flood zones. Chronic tidal flooding and hurricane storm surge threaten this popular barrier island near the mouth of the Savannah River.

FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Chatham 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 Moderate

Est. annual loss: $41.9M

Coastal Flood Risk

Very High

Est. annual loss: $13.1M

Hurricane Risk

Very High

Est. annual loss: $189.0M

Social Vulnerability: Relatively Moderate
Community Resilience: Very High

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

Federal Flood Disaster History: Chatham County

Chatham County has been included in 9 federal flood-related disaster declarations.

2024Hurricane HeleneHurricane
2019Hurricane DorianHurricane
2018Hurricane MichaelHurricane
2017Hurricane IrmaHurricane
2016Hurricane MatthewHurricane
2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationHurricane
1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency DeclarationsHurricane

...and 2 earlier declarations since 1999.

These declarations affected communities across Chatham County, including Tybee Island.

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

NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Chatham County

Properties in Chatham County have filed 5,461 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $82.0M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $15K.

Highest-Claim Years

1999

1,163 claims - $17.1M

2017

984 claims - $28.4M

1994

849 claims - $8.7M

Claims by Flood Zone

Zone AE

2,923

Zone X

1,877

Zone A

441

Zone VE

73

Zone D

69

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced February 2026.

Common Flood Zones in Tybee Island

Properties in Tybee Island, GA are commonly designated in these FEMA flood zones:

What Your Flood Zone Means in Tybee Island

Tybee Island is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Tybee Island are Zone VE, Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $41.9M. The county is rated "Very High" for coastal flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. Properties in Tybee Island's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.

Coastal flood insurance premiums in Tybee Island are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. 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.

Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Tybee Island address.

Flood Insurance Discount: Tybee Island

Tybee Island 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 5

SFHA Premium Discount

25% off

CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Tybee Island's Class 5 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 25% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.

Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.

Check Your Tybee Island Address

Enter any Tybee Island, GA address to instantly see its FEMA flood zone, risk level, and whether flood insurance is required.

Free Flood Zone Lookup

Tybee Island, GA Flood Zone FAQ

What flood zones are in Tybee Island, GA?

The most common FEMA flood zones in Tybee Island are Zone VE, 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 Tybee Island?

If your Tybee Island 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 about 25% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.

How do I check my flood zone in Tybee Island?

Enter your Tybee Island 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 Tybee Island offer flood insurance discounts?

Yes. Tybee Island participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 5 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 25% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.

Has Tybee Island experienced major flooding events?

Chatham County, where Tybee Island is located, has been part of 9 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Helene in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.

How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Tybee Island?

Chatham County has recorded 5,461 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $82.0M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1999, with 1,163 claims and $17.1M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Tybee Island.

Sources

This page summarizes information from FEMA and other official resources in plain language. For full technical details, see the links below.

Sources last verified: February 2026