Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Thomaston than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thomaston gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #26 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Thomaston 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
Hurricanes
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 Thomaston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thomaston, and Thomaston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A #26 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Thomaston’s residents live in 5 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, Thomaston has less expected damage per building than 90% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Thomaston: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Thomaston flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Thomaston, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto1 claim · $58K
Thomaston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Upson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Thomaston
Disasters that paid out in Thomaston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Thomaston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$54K to the City of Thomaston for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding$76K to the City of Thomaston for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$23K to the City of Thomaston for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding8 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$28K to the City of Thomaston for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$29K to the City of Thomaston for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$3K to the City of Thomaston for repairs
Upson 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 Thomaston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thomaston archive →Thomaston and its neighbors
Thomaston has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomaston | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hannahs Mill | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Lincoln Park | — | 688 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 Thomaston 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Thomaston
Is Thomaston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thomaston has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #26 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Thomaston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Thomaston since 1982, $70K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (1).
Is Thomaston 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 Upson County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Thomaston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thomaston’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 Thomaston?
By FEMA money that reached Thomaston, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): $76K to the City of Thomaston for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 1 paid, $58K.
Is Thomaston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Thomaston’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thomaston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thomaston’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.