Photo: Mfwills · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Georgia than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Georgia gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #23 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1978.
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 Georgia 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
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 Georgia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Georgia, and Georgia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #23 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Georgia’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Vermont town has lower expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Georgia has less expected damage per building than 69% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Georgia: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Georgia flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Georgia, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Georgia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Georgia
Disasters that paid out in Georgia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Georgia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storm and Flooding$357K to the Town of Georgia for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$422 aid approved$36K to the Town of Georgia for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Georgia for repairs
Franklin County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Georgia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Georgia archive →Georgia and its neighbors
Georgia is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milton | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Georgia | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Westford | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fairfax | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Grand Isle | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| St. Albans | — | not graded yet | |
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 Georgia 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.
- 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 Georgia
Is Georgia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Georgia has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #23 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and earthquakes (5%). 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 Georgia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Georgia since 1978, $96K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Georgia 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 Franklin County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Georgia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Georgia’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 Georgia?
By FEMA money that reached Georgia, Severe Storm and Flooding (2019): $357K to the Town of Georgia for repairs.
Is Georgia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Georgia’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Georgia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Georgia’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.