Photo: JJonahJackalope · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Dunwoody’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dunwoody gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #29 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 2009.
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 Dunwoody 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
Hail
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 Dunwoody’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dunwoody, and Dunwoody’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A #29 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dunwoody’s residents live in 14 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, Dunwoody has less expected damage per building than 89% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.9M a year in losses across Dunwoody: $8.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dunwoody flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dunwoody, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms5 claims · $60K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Idalia1 claim · $1K
Dunwoody isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dunwoody
Disasters that paid out in Dunwoody itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dunwoody), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$90K to the City of Dunwoody for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding179 households applied for aid$154K aid approved$163K to the City of Dunwoody for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan9 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
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 Dunwoody after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dunwoody archive →Dunwoody and its neighbors
Dunwoody is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doraville | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Dunwoody | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Chamblee | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Sandy Springs | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 81 |
| Peachtree Corners | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Brookhaven | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
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 Dunwoody 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Dunwoody
Is Dunwoody at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dunwoody has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #29 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dunwoody flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Dunwoody since 2009, $405K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (5).
Is Dunwoody 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 Dunwoody?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dunwoody’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 Dunwoody?
By FEMA money that reached Dunwoody, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 179 households applied for aid, $154K approved, and $163K to the City of Dunwoody for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 5 paid, $60K.
Is Dunwoody at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Dunwoody’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dunwoody.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dunwoody’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.