Photo: Gulbenk · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Tucker than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tucker gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #22 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims 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 stands out about Tucker’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tucker 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Tucker’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tucker, and Tucker’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 12% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A #22 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tucker’s residents live in 16 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, Tucker has less expected damage per building than 92% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.9M a year in losses across Tucker: $7.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tucker flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tucker, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms2 claims · $329K
Tucker isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tucker
Disasters that paid out in Tucker itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tucker), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding232 households applied for aid$243K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
DeKalb County has had 13 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 Tucker after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tucker archive →Tucker and its neighbors
Tucker has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucker | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Mountain Park | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Clarkston | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Tucker 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Tucker
Is Tucker at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tucker has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #22 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tucker flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Tucker since 2009, $470K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (2).
Is Tucker 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 DeKalb County, 72% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tucker?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tucker’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 Tucker?
By FEMA money that reached Tucker, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 232 households applied for aid, $243K approved. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 2 paid, $329K.
Is Tucker at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Tucker’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tucker.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tucker’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.