Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Braselton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Braselton gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #190 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). 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 Braselton 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 Braselton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Braselton, and Braselton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #190 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Braselton’s residents live in 10 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, Braselton has more expected damage per building than 72% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Braselton: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Braselton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Braselton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Braselton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gwinnett County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Braselton
Disasters that paid out in Braselton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Braselton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Gwinnett County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Braselton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Braselton archive →Braselton and its neighbors
Braselton is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Braselton 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 Braselton
Is Braselton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Braselton has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #190 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Braselton 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 Gwinnett County, 63% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Braselton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Braselton’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 Braselton?
By FEMA money that reached Braselton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 2 households applied for aid, $8K approved.
Is Braselton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Braselton’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Braselton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Braselton’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.