Photo: CalleyD01 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Austell faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Austell gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #192 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 92 claims here since 1978.
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 Austell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Austell 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
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 Austell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Austell, and Austell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #192 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Austell’s residents live in 9 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, Austell has more expected damage per building than 73% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Austell: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Austell flood? Sometimes: 92 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Austell, from FEMA’s records: 29.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms50 claims · $5.9M
- Hurricane Dennis9 claims · $300K
Austell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cobb County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Austell
Disasters that paid out in Austell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Austell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding2,072 households applied for aid$17.3M aid approved$815K to the City of Austell for repairs50 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan20 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
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 Austell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Austell archive →Austell and its neighbors
Austell is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithia Springs | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mableton | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Austell | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 92 |
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 Austell 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.
- 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.
- Austell residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Austell
Is Austell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Austell has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #192 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Austell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 92 claims in Austell since 1978, $6.6M in all, or 29.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (50).
Is Austell 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 Austell?
Austell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Austell?
By FEMA money that reached Austell, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 2,072 households applied for aid, $17.3M approved, and $815K to the City of Austell for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 50 paid, $5.9M.
Is Austell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Austell’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Austell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Austell’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.