Collins Avenue Historic District · Photo: Nilesrob · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Acworth faces less hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Acworth gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #143 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2016.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Acworth’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Acworth faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Acworth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Acworth, and Acworth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #143 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Acworth’s residents live in 10 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Acworth has more expected damage per building than 54% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Acworth: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Acworth flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Acworth, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Acworth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cobb County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Acworth
Disasters that paid out in Acworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Acworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding631 households applied for aid$757K aid approved$92K to the City of Acworth for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$780 aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan11 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$8K to the City of Acworth for repairs
Cobb County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Acworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Acworth archive →Acworth and its neighbors
Acworth is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Acworth | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Acworth faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Acworth
Is Acworth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Acworth has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #143 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Acworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Acworth since 2016, $40K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Acworth in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Cobb County, 85% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Acworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Acworth’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Acworth?
By FEMA money that reached Acworth, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 631 households applied for aid, $757K approved, and $92K to the City of Acworth for repairs.
Is Acworth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Acworth’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Acworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Acworth’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.