Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Atlanta than in 72% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atlanta gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #158 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then hail (23%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1989.
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 Atlanta’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Atlanta 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
Hail
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 Atlanta’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Atlanta, and Atlanta’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 23%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #158 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Atlanta’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Atlanta has less expected damage per building than 76% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Atlanta: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Atlanta flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Atlanta, from FEMA’s records: 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Atlanta isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cass County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Atlanta
Disasters that paid out in Atlanta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Atlanta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Wildfires1 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike$25K to the City of Atlanta for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$113K to the City of Atlanta for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Cass County has had 21 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Cass County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Atlanta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Atlanta archive →Atlanta and its neighbors
Atlanta has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Queen City | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Atlanta 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.
- 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.
- 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 Atlanta
Is Atlanta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atlanta has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #158 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and hail (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Atlanta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Atlanta since 1989, $679K in all, or 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Atlanta 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 Cass County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Atlanta?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Atlanta’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 Atlanta?
By FEMA money that reached Atlanta, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $113K to the City of Atlanta for repairs.
Is Atlanta at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Atlanta’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Atlanta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Atlanta’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.