Photo: Xavierhouston1 · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in East Point than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Point gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #20 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 83 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 East Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Point 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 East Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Point, and East Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A #20 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Point’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, East Point has less expected damage per building than 93% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across East Point: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Point flood? Sometimes: 83 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Point, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms11 claims · $121K
- The Early winter storms6 claims · $106K
- Hurricane Dennis6 claims · $27K
East Point is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Fulton County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Point
Disasters that paid out in East Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene105 households applied for aid$132K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $54K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$133K to the City of East Point for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding$841K to the City of East Point for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$104K to the City of East Point for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding176 households applied for aid$188K aid approved$57K to the City of East Point for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Ivan26 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$97K to the City of East Point for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $41K
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$215K to the City of East Point for repairs
Fulton County has had 15 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 East Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Point archive →East Point and its neighbors
East Point 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Park | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Hapeville | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Point | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| Atlanta | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1,759 |
| 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 East Point 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.
- East Point 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 East Point
Is East Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Point has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #20 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 83 claims in East Point since 1979, $821K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (11).
Is East Point 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 East Point?
East Point 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 East Point?
By FEMA money that reached East Point, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): $841K to the City of East Point for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 11 paid, $121K.
Is East Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and East Point’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Point’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.