Brick Store · Photo: Mailsmc · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Social Circle faces less hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Social Circle gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #37 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (14%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Social Circle 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 Social Circle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Social Circle, and Social Circle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #37 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Social Circle’s residents live in 3 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, Social Circle has less expected damage per building than 86% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Social Circle: $815K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Social Circle flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Social Circle. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Social Circle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Social Circle
Disasters that paid out in Social Circle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Social Circle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$121K to the City of Social Circle for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$12K to the City of Social Circle for repairs
Walton County has had 9 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 Social Circle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Social Circle archive →Get ready for what Social Circle 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 Social Circle
Is Social Circle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Social Circle has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #37 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Social Circle 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 Walton County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Social Circle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Social Circle’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 Social Circle?
By FEMA money that reached Social Circle, Hurricane Irma (2017): $121K to the City of Social Circle for repairs.
Is Social Circle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Social Circle’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Social Circle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Social Circle’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.