Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Lula’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lula gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #73 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (14%). 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 stands out about Lula’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lula 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 Lula’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lula, and Lula’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #73 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lula’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, Lula has less expected damage per building than 73% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $613K a year in losses across Lula: $369K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lula flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Lula. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Lula isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hall County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lula
Disasters that paid out in Lula itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lula), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$30K to the City of Lula for repairs
Hall County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lula after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lula archive →Get ready for what Lula 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 Lula
Is Lula at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lula has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #73 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Lula 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 Hall County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lula?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lula’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 Lula?
By FEMA money that reached Lula, Hurricane Irma (2017): $30K to the City of Lula for repairs.
Is Lula at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Lula’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lula.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lula’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.