Photo: Carrie Qualters · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Roswell than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roswell gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #98 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 61 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 stands out about Roswell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Roswell 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 Roswell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roswell, and Roswell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #98 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Roswell’s residents live in 28 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, Roswell has less expected damage per building than 63% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.2M a year in losses across Roswell: $21.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roswell flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roswell, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms32 claims · $1.2M
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $78K
- Hurricane Helene2 claims · $7K
Roswell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Fulton County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roswell
Disasters that paid out in Roswell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Roswell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene78 households applied for aid$95K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$43K to the City of Roswell for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$7K to the City of Roswell for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding445 households applied for aid$520K aid approved$317K to the City of Roswell for repairs34 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan60 households applied for aid$158K aid approved$149K to the City of Roswell for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $78K
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$634K to the City of Roswell for repairs
Fulton County has had 15 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 Roswell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roswell archive →Roswell and its neighbors
Roswell is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpharetta | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Sandy Springs | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 81 |
| Roswell | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Johns Creek | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Milton | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mountain Park | — | 703 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 Roswell 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.
- Roswell residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Roswell
Is Roswell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roswell has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #98 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roswell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Roswell since 1982, $1.5M in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (32).
Is Roswell 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 Fulton County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Roswell?
Roswell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Roswell?
By FEMA money that reached Roswell, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 445 households applied for aid, $520K approved, and $317K to the City of Roswell for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 32 paid, $1.2M.
Is Roswell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Roswell’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roswell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roswell’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.