Hiram Colored School · Photo: Blastoids · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hiram faces less hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hiram gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #131 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Hiram 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
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 Hiram’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hiram, and Hiram’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #131 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hiram’s residents live in 7 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, Hiram has less expected damage per building than 51% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Hiram: $887K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hiram flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hiram, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $30K
Hiram isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Paulding County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hiram
Disasters that paid out in Hiram itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hiram), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding485 households applied for aid$778K aid approved$31K to the City of Hiram for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Paulding County has had 14 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 Hiram after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hiram archive →Hiram and its neighbors
Hiram 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hiram | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Powder Springs | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
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 Hiram 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.
- 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 Hiram
Is Hiram at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hiram has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #131 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hiram flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hiram since 2009, $30K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Hiram 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 Paulding County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hiram?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hiram’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 Hiram?
By FEMA money that reached Hiram, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 485 households applied for aid, $778K approved, and $31K to the City of Hiram for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $30K.
Is Hiram at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Hiram’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hiram.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hiram’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.