FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Smyrna than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smyrna gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #117 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 53 claims here since 1989.
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 Smyrna’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Smyrna 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 Smyrna’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smyrna, and Smyrna’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #117 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Smyrna’s residents live in 25 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, Smyrna has less expected damage per building than 56% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.4M a year in losses across Smyrna: $10.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smyrna flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smyrna, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Idalia8 claims · $275K
- The Late summer storms3 claims · $8K
- Hurricane Dennis2 claims · $9K
Smyrna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cobb County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Smyrna
Disasters that paid out in Smyrna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Smyrna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding160 households applied for aid$137K aid approved$9K to the City of Smyrna for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan20 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$13K to the City of Smyrna for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$72K to the City of Smyrna for repairs
Cobb 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 Smyrna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smyrna archive →Smyrna and its neighbors
Smyrna 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Oaks | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Atlanta | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1,759 |
| Mableton | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Smyrna | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Marietta | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 75 |
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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Is Smyrna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smyrna has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #117 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Smyrna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Smyrna since 1989, $887K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Idalia (8).
Is Smyrna 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 Cobb County, 85% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Smyrna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smyrna’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 Smyrna?
By FEMA money that reached Smyrna, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 160 households applied for aid, $137K approved, and $9K to the City of Smyrna for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Idalia: 8 paid, $275K.
Is Smyrna at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Smyrna’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smyrna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smyrna’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.