Photo: SudoGhost · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Buford than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buford gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #46 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 Buford 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
Earthquakes
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 Buford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buford, and Buford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A #46 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Buford’s residents live in 13 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, Buford has less expected damage per building than 83% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Buford: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buford flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buford, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Buford 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buford
Disasters that paid out in Buford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Buford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$92K to the City of Buford for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$24K to the City of Buford for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 16 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 Buford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buford archive →Buford and its neighbors
Buford has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buford | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sugar Hill | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Flowery Branch | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Buford 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Buford
Is Buford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buford has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #46 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Buford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Buford since 2013, $27K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Buford 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 Buford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buford’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 Buford?
By FEMA money that reached Buford, Hurricane Irma (2017): $92K to the City of Buford for repairs.
Is Buford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Buford’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buford’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.