Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Fulton faces more hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fulton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (48%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1984.
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 Fulton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Ice storms
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 Fulton’s grade
Earthquakes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fulton, and Fulton’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 11%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fulton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Fulton: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fulton flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fulton, from FEMA’s records: 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fulton 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 Fulton
Disasters that paid out in Fulton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fulton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes286 households applied for aid$385K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$5K to the City of Fulton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$31K to the City of Fulton for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$109K to the City of Fulton for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$18K to the City of Fulton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$24K to the City of Fulton for repairs
Fulton County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Fulton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fulton archive →Get ready for what Fulton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Fulton
Is Fulton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fulton has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (48%) and river and rain flooding (27%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fulton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Fulton since 1984, $437K in all, or 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fulton 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, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fulton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fulton’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 Fulton?
By FEMA money that reached Fulton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2021): 286 households applied for aid, $385K approved.
Is Fulton at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Fulton’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fulton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fulton’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.