Photo: Aprabhu · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Avondale Estates than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avondale Estates gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #33 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 Avondale Estates 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
Earthquakes
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 Avondale Estates’ grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Avondale Estates, and Avondale Estates’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 10% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A #33 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Avondale Estates’ residents live in 4 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, Avondale Estates has less expected damage per building than 88% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $706K a year in losses across Avondale Estates: $550K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Avondale Estates flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Avondale Estates, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $42K
Avondale Estates isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Avondale Estates
Disasters that paid out in Avondale Estates itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Avondale Estates), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$55K to the City of Avondale Estates for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1 households applied for aid$10K to the City of Avondale Estates for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$39K to the City of Avondale Estates for repairs
DeKalb County has had 13 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 Avondale Estates after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Avondale Estates archive →Avondale Estates and its neighbors
Avondale Estates has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale Estates | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Scottdale | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Decatur | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 113 |
| Belvedere Park | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
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 Avondale Estates 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Avondale Estates
Is Avondale Estates at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avondale Estates has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #33 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Avondale Estates flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Avondale Estates since 2015, $42K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Avondale Estates 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 DeKalb County, 72% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Avondale Estates?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Avondale Estates’ 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 Avondale Estates?
By FEMA money that reached Avondale Estates, Hurricane Irma (2017): $55K to the City of Avondale Estates for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $42K.
Is Avondale Estates at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Avondale Estates’ rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Avondale Estates.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Avondale Estates’ 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.