Photo: Tn8r8r · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in College Park than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, College Park gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #2 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 98 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 College Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What College Park 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
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 College Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in College Park, and College Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #2 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
College Park’s residents live in 9 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, College Park has less expected damage per building than 100% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across College Park: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does College Park flood? Sometimes: 98 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in College Park, from FEMA’s records: 13.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto5 claims · $31K
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $31K
- Hurricane Dennis3 claims · $89K
College Park is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Fulton County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to College Park
Disasters that paid out in College Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of College Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene122 households applied for aid$95K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $49K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$65K to the City of College Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$38K to the City of College Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding121 households applied for aid$72K aid approved$27K to the City of College Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$152K to the City of College Park for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan31 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$79K to the City of College Park for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $31K
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$80K to the City of College Park for repairs
Its 2 counties have 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 College Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the College Park archive →College Park and its neighbors
College Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Park | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Union City | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| East Point | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| 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 College Park 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.
- 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.
- College Park residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in College Park
Is College Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, College Park has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #2 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does College Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 98 claims in College Park since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 13.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (5).
Is College Park 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 College Park?
College Park is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in College Park?
By FEMA money that reached College Park, Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (2005): $152K to the City of College Park for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 5 paid, $31K.
Is College Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and College Park’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in College Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where College Park’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.