Temple’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Temple gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #193 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2009.
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 Temple 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
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 Temple’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Temple, and Temple’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #193 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Temple’s residents live in 4 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, Temple has more expected damage per building than 73% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Temple: $850K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Temple flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Temple, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $109K
Temple isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carroll County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Temple
Disasters that paid out in Temple itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Temple), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$5K to the City of Temple for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding115 households applied for aid$331K aid approved$44K to the City of Temple for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan4 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Carroll County has had 17 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 Temple after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Temple archive →Get ready for what Temple 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.
- 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 Temple
Is Temple at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Temple has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #193 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Temple flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Temple since 2009, $109K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Temple 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 Carroll County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Temple?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Temple’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 Temple?
By FEMA money that reached Temple, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 115 households applied for aid, $331K approved, and $44K to the City of Temple for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $109K.
Is Temple at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Temple’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Temple.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Temple’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.