Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Toccoa faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Toccoa gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #79 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1979.
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 Toccoa 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 Toccoa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Toccoa, and Toccoa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #79 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Toccoa’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, Toccoa has less expected damage per building than 70% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Toccoa: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Toccoa flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Toccoa, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms3 claims · $62K
Toccoa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stephens County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Toccoa
Disasters that paid out in Toccoa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Toccoa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene177 households applied for aid$167K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$77K to the City of Toccoa for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm$44K to the City of Toccoa for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding277 households applied for aid$155K aid approved$305K to the City of Toccoa for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$60K to the City of Toccoa for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$28K to the City of Toccoa for repairs
Stephens County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Toccoa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Toccoa archive →Get ready for what Toccoa 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 Toccoa
Is Toccoa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Toccoa has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #79 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Toccoa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Toccoa since 1979, $70K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (3).
Is Toccoa 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 Stephens County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Toccoa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Toccoa’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 Toccoa?
By FEMA money that reached Toccoa, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 277 households applied for aid, $155K approved, and $305K to the City of Toccoa for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 3 paid, $62K.
Is Toccoa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Toccoa’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Toccoa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Toccoa’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.