Photo: BlocksMC · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Woodstock as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodstock gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #181 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Woodstock 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 Woodstock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodstock, and Woodstock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B #181 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Woodstock’s residents live in 14 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, Woodstock has more expected damage per building than 68% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.6M a year in losses across Woodstock: $7.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodstock flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodstock, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms17 claims · $4.3M
Woodstock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodstock
Disasters that paid out in Woodstock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Woodstock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding792 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$944K to the City of Woodstock for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan27 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$28K to the City of Woodstock for repairs
Cherokee 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 Woodstock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodstock archive →Get ready for what Woodstock 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 Woodstock
Is Woodstock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodstock has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #181 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Woodstock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Woodstock since 2009, $4.3M in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (17).
Is Woodstock 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 Cherokee County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Woodstock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodstock’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 Woodstock?
By FEMA money that reached Woodstock, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 792 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $944K to the City of Woodstock for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 17 paid, $4.3M.
Is Woodstock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Woodstock’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodstock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodstock’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.