Photo: Keizers · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hapeville than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hapeville gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #4 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Hapeville 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 Hapeville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hapeville, and Hapeville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 15% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #4 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hapeville’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, Hapeville has less expected damage per building than 99% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Hapeville: $884K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hapeville flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hapeville, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms4 claims · $36K
Hapeville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fulton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hapeville
Disasters that paid out in Hapeville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hapeville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene10 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$81K to the City of Hapeville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$6K to the City of Hapeville for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$38K to the City of Hapeville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$4K to the City of Hapeville 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 Hapeville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hapeville archive →Hapeville and its neighbors
Hapeville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 Hapeville 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hapeville
Is Hapeville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hapeville has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #4 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hapeville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Hapeville since 2009, $93K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (4).
Is Hapeville 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 Hapeville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hapeville’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 Hapeville?
By FEMA money that reached Hapeville, Hurricane Irma (2017): $81K to the City of Hapeville for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 4 paid, $36K.
Is Hapeville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Hapeville’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hapeville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hapeville’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.