Chickamauga Lodge No. 221, Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliate · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Chickamauga’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chickamauga gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #218 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 49 claims here since 1990.
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 Chickamauga’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chickamauga 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 Chickamauga’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chickamauga, and Chickamauga’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #218 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chickamauga’s residents live in 4 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, Chickamauga has more expected damage per building than 83% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Chickamauga: $885K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chickamauga flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chickamauga, from FEMA’s records: 37.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms27 claims · $331K
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $13K
Chickamauga isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walker County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chickamauga
Disasters that paid out in Chickamauga itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chickamauga), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$26K to the City of Chickamauga for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding26 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$12K to the City of Chickamauga for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding208 households applied for aid$438K aid approved$100K to the City of Chickamauga for repairs27 flood claims paid that year
Walker County has had 14 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 Chickamauga after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chickamauga archive →Get ready for what Chickamauga 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 Chickamauga
Is Chickamauga at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chickamauga has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #218 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chickamauga flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in Chickamauga since 1990, $645K in all, or 37.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (27).
Is Chickamauga 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 Walker County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chickamauga?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chickamauga’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 Chickamauga?
By FEMA money that reached Chickamauga, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 208 households applied for aid, $438K approved, and $100K to the City of Chickamauga for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 27 paid, $331K.
Is Chickamauga at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Chickamauga’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chickamauga.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chickamauga’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.