Photo: Hans J E from Lawrenceville, US · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Duluth than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Duluth gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #92 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 2005.
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 Duluth’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Duluth 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
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 Duluth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Duluth, and Duluth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #92 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Duluth’s residents live in 11 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, Duluth has less expected damage per building than 65% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Duluth: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Duluth flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Duluth, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms8 claims · $126K
- Hurricane Idalia6 claims · $255K
- Hurricane Dennis1 claim · $1K
Duluth is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Gwinnett County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Duluth
Disasters that paid out in Duluth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Duluth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene14 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$34K to the City of Duluth for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding157 households applied for aid$148K aid approved$107K to the City of Duluth for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$7K to the City of Duluth for repairs
Gwinnett County has had 10 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 Duluth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Duluth archive →Duluth and its neighbors
Duluth is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peachtree Corners | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Suwanee | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Duluth | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Johns Creek | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Berkeley Lake | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Duluth 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.
- 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.
- Duluth 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 Duluth
Is Duluth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Duluth has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #92 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Duluth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Duluth since 2005, $885K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (8).
Is Duluth 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 Gwinnett County, 63% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Duluth?
Duluth 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 Duluth?
By FEMA money that reached Duluth, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 157 households applied for aid, $148K approved, and $107K to the City of Duluth for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 8 paid, $126K.
Is Duluth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Duluth’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Duluth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Duluth’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.