Storms, floods and disasters in Pine Lake
Pine Lake isn’t graded for hazard risk: Pine Lake has 882 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1994.
What Pine Lake 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.
Does Pine Lake flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pine Lake, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late summer storms3 claims · $69K
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $14K
- Tropical Storm Alberto1 claim · $17K
Pine Lake 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pine Lake
Disasters that paid out in Pine Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pine Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$26K to the City of Pine Lake for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$2K to the City of Pine Lake for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $14K
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$3K to the City of Pine Lake for repairs
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 Pine Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pine Lake archive →Get ready for what Pine Lake 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 Pine Lake
Does Pine Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Pine Lake since 1994, $129K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (3).
Is Pine Lake 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 Pine Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pine Lake’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 Pine Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Pine Lake, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 31 households applied for aid, $86K approved, and $26K to the City of Pine Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 3 paid, $69K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pine Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pine Lake’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.