Decatur Waterworks · Photo: Aurelius787 · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in North Decatur than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Decatur gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #152 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 80 claims here since 1979.
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 North Decatur’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Decatur 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
Earthquakes
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 North Decatur’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Decatur, and North Decatur’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #152 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Decatur’s residents live in 7 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, North Decatur has more expected damage per building than 57% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across North Decatur: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Decatur flood? Sometimes: 80 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Decatur, from FEMA’s records: 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms27 claims · $340K
- Hurricane Helene11 claims · $206K
- Tropical Storm Ivan9 claims · $45K
North Decatur isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.The storms North Decatur remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for DeKalb County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Decatur itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 200927 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for DeKalb County
- 202411 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Helene, declared for DeKalb County
- 20049 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Ivan, declared for DeKalb County
DeKalb County has had 13 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 North Decatur after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Decatur archive →North Decatur and its neighbors
North Decatur is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottdale | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Decatur | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 113 |
| North Druid Hills | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Decatur | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Druid Hills | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 North Decatur 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 North Decatur
Is North Decatur at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Decatur has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #152 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Decatur flood?
Flood insurance has paid 80 claims in North Decatur since 1979, $735K in all, or 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (27).
Is North Decatur 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 DeKalb County, 72% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Decatur?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Decatur’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 North Decatur?
By flood claims, Late summer storms: 27 paid, $340K.
Is North Decatur at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and North Decatur’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Decatur.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Decatur’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.