Photo: John Trainor from Roswell, GA, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts McDonough’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McDonough gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #59 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2003.
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 McDonough 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 McDonough’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in McDonough, and McDonough’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #59 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McDonough’s residents live in 14 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, McDonough has less expected damage per building than 78% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across McDonough: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McDonough flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McDonough, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
McDonough isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henry County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McDonough
Disasters that paid out in McDonough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McDonough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes559 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$36K to the City of McDonough for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$16K to the City of McDonough for repairs
Henry County has had 12 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 McDonough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McDonough archive →Get ready for what McDonough 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 McDonough
Is McDonough at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McDonough has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #59 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McDonough flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in McDonough since 2003, $32K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is McDonough 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 Henry County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McDonough?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McDonough’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 McDonough?
By FEMA money that reached McDonough, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 559 households applied for aid, $41K approved, and $36K to the City of McDonough for repairs.
Is McDonough at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and McDonough’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McDonough.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McDonough’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.