Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Barnesville than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barnesville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #23 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2022.
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 Barnesville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Barnesville 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
Hurricanes
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 Barnesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Barnesville, and Barnesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A #23 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Barnesville’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, Barnesville has less expected damage per building than 92% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Barnesville: $873K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Barnesville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2022
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Barnesville, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Barnesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lamar County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Barnesville
Disasters that paid out in Barnesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Barnesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$82K to the City of Barnesville for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding$56K to the City of Barnesville for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$38K to the City of Barnesville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding148 households applied for aid$177K aid approved$72K to the City of Barnesville for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$51K to the City of Barnesville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$114K to the City of Barnesville for repairs
Lamar 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 Barnesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Barnesville archive →Barnesville and its neighbors
Barnesville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnesville | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Aldora | — | 82 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Barnesville 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Barnesville
Is Barnesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barnesville has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #23 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Barnesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Barnesville since 2022, $180K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Barnesville 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 Lamar County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Barnesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Barnesville’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 Barnesville?
By FEMA money that reached Barnesville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 148 households applied for aid, $177K approved, and $72K to the City of Barnesville for repairs.
Is Barnesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Barnesville’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Barnesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Barnesville’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.