Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Carrollton faces less hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carrollton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #118 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1980.
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 Carrollton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carrollton 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 Carrollton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carrollton, and Carrollton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 25%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #118 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carrollton’s residents live in 12 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, Carrollton has less expected damage per building than 56% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.1M a year in losses across Carrollton: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carrollton flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carrollton, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms8 claims · $1.8M
- The Late summer storms8 claims · $2.2M
Carrollton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carroll County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carrollton
Disasters that paid out in Carrollton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carrollton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$41K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding$998K to the City of Carrollton for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$59K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding448 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$549K to the City of Carrollton for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes245 households applied for aid$211K aid approved$335K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$222K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Ivan18 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$84K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$5K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
Carroll County has had 17 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 Carrollton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carrollton archive →Get ready for what Carrollton 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 Carrollton
Is Carrollton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carrollton has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #118 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carrollton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Carrollton since 1980, $4.7M in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (8).
Is Carrollton 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 Carroll County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carrollton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carrollton’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 Carrollton?
By FEMA money that reached Carrollton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 448 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $549K to the City of Carrollton for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 8 paid, $1.8M.
Is Carrollton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Carrollton’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carrollton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carrollton’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.