Photo: Cantonga · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Canton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #193 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1992.
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 Canton 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 Canton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canton, and Canton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #193 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Canton’s residents live in 11 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, Canton has more expected damage per building than 73% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.6M a year in losses across Canton: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canton flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canton, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms3 claims · $502K
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $31K
- Hurricane Dennis1 claim · $70K
Canton 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 Canton
Disasters that paid out in Canton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding205 households applied for aid$170K aid approved$137K to the City of Canton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan24 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$45K to the City of Canton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $31K
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$6K to the City of Canton 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 Canton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canton archive →Canton and its neighbors
Canton is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Springs | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Canton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Canton 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 Canton
Is Canton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #193 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Canton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Canton since 1992, $697K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (3).
Is Canton 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 Canton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canton’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 Canton?
By FEMA money that reached Canton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 205 households applied for aid, $170K approved, and $137K to the City of Canton for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 3 paid, $502K.
Is Canton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Canton’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canton’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.