Photo: John Trainor · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Newnan faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newnan gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #11 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1982.
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 Newnan 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 Newnan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newnan, and Newnan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A #11 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newnan’s residents live in 13 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, Newnan has less expected damage per building than 96% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.2M a year in losses across Newnan: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newnan flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newnan, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dennis1 claim · $8K
Newnan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coweta County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newnan
Disasters that paid out in Newnan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newnan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Tornadoes$7.5M to the City of Newnan for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$163K to the City of Newnan for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$202K to the City of Newnan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding8 households applied for aid$400 aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$129K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$597K to the City of Newnan for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Coweta County has had 10 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 Newnan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newnan archive →Newnan and its neighbors
Newnan has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newnan | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| East Newnan | — | 956 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Newnan 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 Newnan
Is Newnan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newnan has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #11 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newnan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Newnan since 1982, $149K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dennis (1).
Is Newnan 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 Coweta County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newnan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newnan’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 Newnan?
By FEMA money that reached Newnan, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2021): $7.5M to the City of Newnan for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dennis: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Newnan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Newnan’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newnan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newnan’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.