Chieftains · Photo: Culbyen:User:Cculber007 · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Rome as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rome gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #197 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 233 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 Rome’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rome 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 Rome’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rome, and Rome’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #197 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rome’s residents live in 20 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, Rome has more expected damage per building than 75% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.9M a year in losses across Rome: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rome flood? Yes: 233 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rome, from FEMA’s records: 14.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms4 claims · $322K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $140K
Rome isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Floyd County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rome
Disasters that paid out in Rome itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rome), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding741 households applied for aid$272K aid approved$133K to the City of Rome for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$10K to the City of Rome for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Floyd County has had 15 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 Rome after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rome archive →Rome and its neighbors
Rome is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berry College | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lindale | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Rome | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 233 |
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 Rome 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 Rome
Is Rome at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rome has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #197 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rome flood?
Flood insurance has paid 233 claims in Rome since 1979, $2.6M in all, or 14.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 31 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (4).
Is Rome 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 Floyd County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rome?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rome’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 Rome?
By FEMA money that reached Rome, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 741 households applied for aid, $272K approved, and $133K to the City of Rome for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 4 paid, $322K.
Is Rome at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Rome’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rome.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rome’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.