Ball Ground Historic District · Photo: Thomson200 · CC0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Ball Ground as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ball Ground gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #196 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), 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 Ball Ground 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 Ball Ground’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ball Ground, and Ball Ground’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #196 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ball Ground’s residents live in 3 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, Ball Ground has more expected damage per building than 74% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $748K a year in losses across Ball Ground: $558K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ball Ground flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ball Ground. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ball Ground isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ball Ground
Disasters that paid out in Ball Ground itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ball Ground), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan9 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$2K to the City of Ball Ground for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$2K to the City of Ball Ground for repairs
Cherokee 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 Ball Ground after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ball Ground archive →Get ready for what Ball Ground 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ball Ground
Is Ball Ground at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ball Ground has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #196 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ball Ground 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 Cherokee County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ball Ground?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ball Ground’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 Ball Ground?
By FEMA money that reached Ball Ground, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 9 households applied for aid, $23K approved, and $2K to the City of Ball Ground for repairs.
Is Ball Ground at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Ball Ground’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ball Ground.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ball Ground’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.