Less hazard damage per building is expected in Forest Park than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Park gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #34 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Forest Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Forest Park 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 Forest Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest Park, and Forest Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 21% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
A #34 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest Park’s residents live in 10 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, Forest Park has less expected damage per building than 87% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Forest Park: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest Park flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest Park, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dennis1 claim · $4K
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $2K
Forest Park is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Clayton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest Park
Disasters that paid out in Forest Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Forest Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$31K to the City of Forest Park for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan22 households applied for aid$31K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
Clayton County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Forest Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest Park archive →Forest Park and its neighbors
Forest Park is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Forest Park 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.
- Forest Park residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Forest Park
Is Forest Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Park has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #34 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forest Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Forest Park since 1978, $246K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Dennis (1).
Is Forest Park 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 Clayton County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Forest Park?
Forest Park is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Forest Park?
By FEMA money that reached Forest Park, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 22 households applied for aid, $31K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Dennis: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Forest Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Forest Park’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest Park’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.