Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Marietta

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Marietta Square, Marietta, GA, US (08)Photo: Bubba73 · CC BY-SA 3.0
B+Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Marietta · FEMA

FEMA puts Marietta’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marietta gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #133 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 75 claims here since 1979.

River and rain flooding 71%Tornadoes 14%Earthquakes 8%

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

less than 72%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#133 of 264 in Georgia
Hazard risk
B+#133 of 264
in Georgia · lower than 72% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
71% of expected building damage
Flood claims
75
paid since 1979 · $3.0M
Flooded more than once
5
properties
Flood insurance
15% off
Community discount (class 7)

What stands out about Marietta’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.15% off flood insuranceFlood-proofing work earns Marietta residents a discount through FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7).Moved out of harm’s way70 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared with FEMA grants.Remembers 202127 flood claims were paid for 2021 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Marietta 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

71%of expected building damage
About average · lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

14%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts

Earthquakes

8%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Hail Ice storms Strong wind Hurricanes Lightning Cold waves Wildfire Winter storms Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts cold waves at 10% of Marietta’s expected losses. Cold waves do little damage to buildings (0.1%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Marietta’s grade

River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marietta, and Marietta’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Marietta sits
Marietta
Least damageMiddleMost damage

B+ #133 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Marietta’s residents live in 28 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding71%Tornadoes14%Earthquakes8%Everything else7%

The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marietta has more expected damage per building than 50% of Georgia towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.6M a year in losses across Marietta: $12.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A firm figure. It combines 28 census tracts by where Marietta’s residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Marietta flood? Sometimes: 75 flood claims since 1979

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marietta, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1979: 4 claims1980: 0 claims1981: 0 claims1982: 5 claims1983: 0 claims1984: 0 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 2 claims2002: 1 claim2003: 2 claims2004: 2 claims2005: 9 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 1 claim2008: 0 claims2009: 16 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 1 claim2018: 1 claim2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 27 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 1 claim2024: 2 claims2025: 1 claim2026: 0 claims200520092021
19792026
Biggest named events
  • The Late summer storms15 claims · $818K
  • Hurricane Dennis6 claims · $245K
  • Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $17K
75
paid claims since 1979
$3.0M
paid to owners
5
homes flooded more than once
$40K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
Community discount15% off flood insurance

Marietta is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.

Insurance rates: Cobb County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
70flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
Disasters

5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marietta

Disasters that paid out in Marietta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marietta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2017Hurricane Irma$10K to the City of Marietta for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  2. 2009Severe Storms and Flooding1,774 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$48K to the City of Marietta for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
  3. 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$29K to the City of Marietta for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
  4. 2004Hurricane Ivan84 households applied for aid$78K aid approved$38K to the City of Marietta for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $17K
  5. 2000Severe Winter Storm$471K to the City of Marietta for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in MariettaCobb County only

Cobb 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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Marietta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Marietta archive →
Next door

Marietta and its neighbors

Marietta is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Fair Oaks: hazard risk ASmyrna: hazard risk B+Fair OaksSmyrnaMarietta
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
Fair OaksAless damage than 92%river and rain flooding—
SmyrnaB+less damage than 74%river and rain flooding53
MariettaB+less damage than 72%river and rain flooding75

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Marietta faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
  • Marietta residents get 15% off flood insurance.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Marietta

Is Marietta at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marietta has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #133 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Marietta flood?

Flood insurance has paid 75 claims in Marietta since 1979, $3.0M in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (15).

Is Marietta 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 Cobb County, 85% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Marietta?

Marietta is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Marietta?

By FEMA money that reached Marietta, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 1,774 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $48K to the City of Marietta for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 15 paid, $818K.

Is Marietta at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Marietta’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marietta.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marietta’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.