Walker County, GA Environment & Hazard Risk

• TornadoRelatively High$9.2M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• Cold waveRelatively Moderate$5.6M/yr expected annual loss, about 1.6 events a year
• EarthquakeRelatively Low$1.5M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 245 years
• LandslideRelatively Low$9,444/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• Winter weatherRelatively Moderate$121K/yr expected annual loss, about 5.5 events a year
• DroughtRelatively Moderate$474K/yr expected annual loss, about 29 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$855K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.6 events a year
• LightningRelatively Moderate$344K/yr expected annual loss, about 61 events a year
• Heat waveRelatively Low$587K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.6 events a year
• WildfireVery Low$86.6K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 504 years
• Ice stormRelatively Low$114K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years
• HurricaneVery Low$90.1K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 56 years
• HailRelatively Low$186K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.6 events a year

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

131 of 27,896 (0.5%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

742

Insured in high-risk zones

107 (14%)

Flood claims since 1978

135

Claims paid since 1978

$3.6M

• Thunderstorm Wind147
• Hail67
• Drought38
• Winter Weather23
• Flash Flood15
• Tropical Storm14
• Winter Storm13
• Strong Wind12
• Wildfire11
• Heavy Snow10

• TornadoEF2, 9.8 mi path, 1,056 yd wide04/27/2011

  Hinkles, Walker County

  25 injured, $5M damage

  What happened

  This tornado is a continuation of the EF3 tornado that originated in DeKalb county, Alabama, tracked across central Dade county, Georgia, and then across northern Walker county, Georgia before lifting just before reaching the Tennessee line. The tornado weakened to an EF2 strength before entering Walker county, and continued as an EF2 to EF1 across much of its path within Walker county. The tornado crossed into Walker county approximately five miles west-southwest of Chattanooga Valley and lifted just west of Fort Oglethorpe near the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Georgia Highway 2. Thousands of trees and dozens of power lines were taken down by the tornado. Dozens of homes suffered severe damage, especially across the northern part of the county. Seven homes were completely destroyed. The most severe damage was noted in the Flintstone area. While no fatalities occurred within Walker county, there were 25 injuries, mostly at the severely damaged or destroyed homes. The most severe damage with this tornado occurred in Dade county.||Damage in Walker county consists of seven destroyed homes, 26 with major damage, and 35 with minor damage.||[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado...

• TornadoF1, 10 mi path, 100 yd wide05/03/1997

  Chickamauga, Walker County

  1 death, 3 injured, $100K damage

  What happened

  The tornado touched down just southwest of Chickamauga in the Ridgecrest Acre mobile home park. Touchdown was noted to be at the intersection of Georgia Highway 136 and 193. Three mobile homes were completely destroyed, and a total of 28 homes/ mobile homes had damage varying from moderate to being totally destroyed. Homes were moved off their foundations and numerous trees were either snapped or uprooted.

• Excessive Heat09/05/2015

  Walker

  1 death

  What happened

  A Chattanooga Tennessee television news station reported a heat related death in Chickamauga, Georgia in Walker County. An 11-month-old boy was left in a closed vehicle for approximately two and a half hours during the afternoon of Saturday, September 5th. Air temperatures were reported to be in the lower 90s and a Walker County Sheriff's Department official estimated that temperatures inside of the vehicle reached as high as 130-170 degrees.

• Drought06/01/2000

  Walker

  $9.8M damage

  What happened

  Extremely dry conditions continued across north and central Georgia through the month of June. These same dry conditions had persisted for most of the last 2 years. All rainfall was from spotty convective activity, with no widespread general rains occurring during the month. Most of the convection was concentrated across the southeast parts of WFO Peachtree City's County Warning Area. The west central and north central portions received only 25 to 50 percent of normal rainfall with northwest and east central portions faring slightly better with 50 to 75 percent of normal. At the major airports in north and central Georgia, Atlanta reported 1.11 inches, Athens 1.98 inches, Macon 2.86 inches, and Columbus only 0.51 inches of rain for the month of June. These amounts were 2.45 inches, 1.95 inches, 0.72 inches, and 3.56 inches below normal, respectively. Yearly rainfall totals for most cooperative observer stations in north and central Georgia were between 10 and 15 inches below normal. The 2 year deficit exceeded 20 inches across much of the same area. The center for Climate Prediction and the U.S. Department of Agriculture classified most of central Georgia in an...

• Flood09/21/2009

  Missionary Ridge, Walker County

  $5.9M damage

  What happened

  Emergency Management personnel from Walker county reported that extensive flooding continued across the county and had expanded into southern portions as well. Significant flooding was ongoing in the Rossville, Fort Oglethorpe, and LaFayette areas. At least 20 roads were closed because of flooding. Dozens of homes were flooded and suffered significant damage. Additional monetary damage in the county from flooding during this time frame were estimated to be near $6 million.

• TornadoF1, 0.5 mi path, 50 yd wide04/17/1998

  Flintstone, Walker County

  2 injured, $100K damage

  What happened

  Police and fire officials reported a tornado. It apparently touched down briefly destroying 3 trailers, 2 barns and a car. The roof was torn off of a house. Trees and power lines were downed. The intensity, width and length were estimated.

• Walker County Water AuthorityServes 36,000 · Surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• LafayetteServes 18,177 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• ChickamaugaServes 5,720 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+4 monitoring or reporting
• Walker Co. Rural Water Auth.Serves 3,410 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Walker County W&sa - Armuchee ValleyServes 620 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+3 monitoring or reporting