Dr. Luther C. and Lucy Hurt Fischer House · Photo: Rheave · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Chamblee faces less hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chamblee gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #44 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1979.
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 Chamblee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chamblee 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Chamblee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chamblee, and Chamblee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 16% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A #44 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chamblee’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, Chamblee has less expected damage per building than 84% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Chamblee: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chamblee flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chamblee, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $80K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $31K
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $39K
Chamblee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chamblee
Disasters that paid out in Chamblee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chamblee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding66 households applied for aid$239K aid approved$17K to the City of Chamblee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan6 households applied for aid$15K to the City of Chamblee for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $80K
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$11K to the City of Chamblee for repairs
DeKalb 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 Chamblee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chamblee archive →Chamblee and its neighbors
Chamblee is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doraville | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Dunwoody | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Chamblee | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Brookhaven | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
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 Chamblee 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Chamblee
Is Chamblee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chamblee has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #44 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chamblee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Chamblee since 1979, $231K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is Chamblee 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 DeKalb County, 72% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chamblee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chamblee’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 Chamblee?
By FEMA money that reached Chamblee, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 66 households applied for aid, $239K approved, and $17K to the City of Chamblee for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $80K.
Is Chamblee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Chamblee’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chamblee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chamblee’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.