McCarty Subdivision Historic District · Photo: GamblinMonkey · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Dalton than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dalton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #163 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1984.
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 Dalton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dalton 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 Dalton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dalton, and Dalton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 18% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B #163 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dalton’s residents live in 13 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, Dalton has more expected damage per building than 62% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.3M a year in losses across Dalton: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dalton flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dalton, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $2K
Dalton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Whitfield County.The storms Dalton remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Whitfield County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Dalton itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20249 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Helene, declared for Whitfield County
- 20037 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20206 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Whitfield County has had 11 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 Dalton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dalton archive →Get ready for what Dalton 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Dalton
Is Dalton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dalton has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #163 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dalton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Dalton since 1984, $4.9M in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Dalton 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 Whitfield County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dalton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dalton’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 Dalton?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Dalton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Dalton’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dalton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dalton’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.