On FEMA’s figures, Union City faces less hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union City gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #10 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2013.
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 Union City 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 Union City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Union City, and Union City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
A #10 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Union City’s residents live in 19 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, Union City has less expected damage per building than 97% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Union City: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Union City flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Union City, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Union City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fulton County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Union City
Disasters that paid out in Union City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Union City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene391 households applied for aid$216K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$16K to the City of Union City for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$28K to the City of Union City for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan8 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$4K to the City of Union City for repairs
Fulton County has had 15 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 Union City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Union City archive →Union City and its neighbors
Union City is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Park | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Fairburn | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Union City | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| South Fulton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Union City 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 Union City
Is Union City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union City has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #10 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Union City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Union City since 2013, $28K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Union City 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 Fulton County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Union City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Union City’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 Union City?
By FEMA money that reached Union City, Hurricane Helene (2024): 391 households applied for aid, $216K approved.
Is Union City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Union City’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Union City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Union City’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.