Photo: Fwgoebel · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Caroga faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Caroga gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2006.
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 Caroga 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
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 Caroga’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Caroga, and Caroga’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Caroga’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $651K a year in losses across Caroga: $570K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Caroga flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Caroga, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Caroga 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Caroga
Disasters that paid out in Caroga itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Caroga), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$87K to the Town of Caroga for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of Caroga for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$15K to the Town of Caroga for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the Town of Caroga for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Snowstorms$5K to the Town of Caroga for repairs
Fulton County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Caroga after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Caroga archive →Caroga and its neighbors
Caroga is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstown | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Caroga | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ephratah | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bleecker | — | 563 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stratford | — | 769 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Arietta | — | 264 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Caroga 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.
- 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 Caroga
Is Caroga at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Caroga has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Caroga flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Caroga since 2006, $4K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Caroga 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, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Caroga?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Caroga’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 Caroga?
By FEMA money that reached Caroga, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $87K to the Town of Caroga for repairs.
Is Caroga at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Caroga’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Caroga.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Caroga’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.