On FEMA’s figures, Gresham Park faces less hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gresham Park gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #104 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2004.
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 Gresham 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
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 Gresham Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gresham Park, and Gresham Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #104 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gresham Park’s residents live in 2 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, Gresham Park has less expected damage per building than 61% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Gresham Park: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gresham Park flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gresham Park, 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.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $7K
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $3K
Gresham Park 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.The storms Gresham Park remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for DeKalb County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Gresham Park itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20042 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Ivan, declared for DeKalb County
- 20091 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for DeKalb County
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 Gresham Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gresham Park archive →Gresham Park and its neighbors
Gresham Park is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1,759 |
| Panthersville | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Gresham Park | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Gresham 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.
- 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 Gresham Park
Is Gresham Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gresham Park has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #104 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gresham Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Gresham Park since 2004, $15K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Gresham 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 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 Gresham Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gresham Park’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 Gresham Park?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Gresham Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Gresham Park’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gresham Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gresham 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.