On FEMA’s figures, Holly Springs faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holly Springs gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #170 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (13%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Holly Springs 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 Holly Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holly Springs, and Holly Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B #170 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Holly Springs’ residents live in 11 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, Holly Springs has more expected damage per building than 64% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Holly Springs: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holly Springs flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Holly Springs. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Holly Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holly Springs
Disasters that paid out in Holly Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Holly Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$737 aid approved$15K to the City of Holly Springs for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$5K to the City of Holly Springs for repairs
Cherokee County has had 16 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 Holly Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holly Springs archive →Holly Springs and its neighbors
Holly Springs has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Springs | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Canton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Holly Springs 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 Holly Springs
Is Holly Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holly Springs has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #170 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Holly Springs 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 Cherokee County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holly Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holly Springs’ 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 Holly Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Holly Springs, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 3 households applied for aid, $737 approved, and $15K to the City of Holly Springs for repairs.
Is Holly Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Holly Springs’ rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holly Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holly Springs’ 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.