Photo: KudzuVine · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Ringgold faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ringgold gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #206 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1990.
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 Ringgold’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ringgold 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 Ringgold’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ringgold, and Ringgold’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #206 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ringgold’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, Ringgold has more expected damage per building than 78% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Ringgold: $944K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ringgold flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ringgold, from FEMA’s records: 14.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ringgold isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Catoosa County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ringgold
Disasters that paid out in Ringgold itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ringgold), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding901 households applied for aid$1,000K aid approved$153K to the City of Ringgold for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding109 households applied for aid$182K aid approved
Catoosa County has had 13 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 Ringgold after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ringgold archive →Get ready for what Ringgold 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 Ringgold
Is Ringgold at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ringgold has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #206 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ringgold flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Ringgold since 1990, $443K in all, or 14.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Ringgold 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 Catoosa County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ringgold?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ringgold’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 Ringgold?
By FEMA money that reached Ringgold, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 901 households applied for aid, $1,000K approved, and $153K to the City of Ringgold for repairs.
Is Ringgold at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Ringgold’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ringgold.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ringgold’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.