Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Griffin than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Griffin gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #17 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1997.
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 Griffin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Griffin 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 Griffin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Griffin, and Griffin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A #17 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Griffin’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, Griffin has less expected damage per building than 94% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Griffin: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Griffin flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Griffin, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $9K
Griffin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Spalding County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Griffin
Disasters that paid out in Griffin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Griffin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes4,188 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$8.9M to the City of Griffin for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$496K to the City of Griffin for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$210K to the City of Griffin for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding284 households applied for aid$592K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$201K to the City of Griffin for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$339K to the City of Griffin for repairs
Spalding 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 Griffin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Griffin archive →Griffin and its neighbors
Griffin is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Griffin | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Griffin | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Experiment | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Griffin 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.
- Griffin 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 Griffin
Is Griffin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Griffin has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #17 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Griffin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Griffin since 1997, $34K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Griffin 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 Spalding County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Griffin?
Griffin 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 Griffin?
By FEMA money that reached Griffin, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 4,188 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved, and $8.9M to the City of Griffin for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Griffin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Griffin’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Griffin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Griffin’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.