John F. Beavers House · Photo: Mike Taylor · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Chattahoochee Hills than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chattahoochee Hills gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #14 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Chattahoochee Hills’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chattahoochee Hills 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 Chattahoochee Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chattahoochee Hills, and Chattahoochee Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
A #14 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chattahoochee Hills’ residents live in 5 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, Chattahoochee Hills has less expected damage per building than 95% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $578K a year in losses across Chattahoochee Hills: $492K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chattahoochee Hills flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chattahoochee Hills, 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.
Chattahoochee Hills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fulton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chattahoochee Hills
Disasters that paid out in Chattahoochee Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chattahoochee Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$12K to the City of Chattahoochee Hills for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$10K to the City of Chattahoochee Hills for repairs
Fulton County has had 16 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 Chattahoochee Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chattahoochee Hills archive →Chattahoochee Hills and its neighbors
Chattahoochee Hills 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee Hills | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Palmetto | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| South Fulton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Chattahoochee Hills 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 Chattahoochee Hills
Is Chattahoochee Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chattahoochee Hills has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #14 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chattahoochee Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Chattahoochee Hills since 2019, $31K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Chattahoochee Hills 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 Fulton County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chattahoochee Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chattahoochee Hills’ 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 Chattahoochee Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Chattahoochee Hills, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1 households applied for aid, $23K approved.
Is Chattahoochee Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Chattahoochee Hills’ rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chattahoochee Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chattahoochee Hills’ 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.