Photo: Lincolnh · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Decatur than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Decatur gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #82 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 113 claims here since 1978.
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 Decatur’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Decatur 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 Decatur’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Decatur, and Decatur’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #82 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Decatur’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, Decatur has less expected damage per building than 69% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Decatur: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Decatur flood? Yes: 113 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Decatur, from FEMA’s records: 10.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan22 claims · $384K
- The Late summer storms16 claims · $128K
- Hurricane Dennis2 claims · $8K
Decatur is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Decatur
Disasters that paid out in Decatur itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Decatur), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1 households applied for aid$300 aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $14K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$32K to the City of Decatur for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding854 households applied for aid$716K aid approved18 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes93 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan176 households applied for aid$197K aid approved$37K to the City of Decatur for repairs22 flood claims paid for it, $384K
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$61K to the City of Decatur for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
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 Decatur after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Decatur archive →Decatur and its neighbors
Decatur is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale Estates | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Scottdale | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Atlanta | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1,759 |
| Decatur | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 113 |
| Belvedere Park | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| North Decatur | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Druid Hills | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 Decatur 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.
- Decatur residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Decatur
Is Decatur at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Decatur has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #82 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Decatur flood?
Flood insurance has paid 113 claims in Decatur since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 10.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (22).
Is Decatur 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 Decatur?
Decatur is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Decatur?
By FEMA money that reached Decatur, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 854 households applied for aid, $716K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 22 paid, $384K.
Is Decatur at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Decatur’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Decatur.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Decatur’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.