Henry W. Grady House · Photo: Fred D. Nichols, Photographer · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Athens than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athens gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #162 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Athens 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 Athens’ grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Athens, and Athens’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B #162 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Athens’ residents live in 34 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, Athens has more expected damage per building than 61% of Georgia towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Athens has lower expected damage per building than 76% (#95 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $28.7M, is the 360th largest of those 400.
Athens and its neighbors
Athens 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winterville | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Athens | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Athens 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 Athens
Is Athens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athens has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #162 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Athens 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.
How much is flood insurance in Athens?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Athens’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Athens at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Athens’ rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Athens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Athens’ 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.