FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Georgiana than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Georgiana gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (38%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Georgiana 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
Hurricanes
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 Georgiana’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Georgiana, and Georgiana’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 38% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Georgiana’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $673K a year in losses across Georgiana: $435K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Georgiana flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Georgiana. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Georgiana isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butler County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Georgiana
Disasters that paid out in Georgiana itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Georgiana), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Hurricane Ivan501 households applied for aid$601K aid approved$65K to the Town of Georgiana for repairs
Butler County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Georgiana after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Georgiana archive →Get ready for what Georgiana 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Georgiana
Is Georgiana at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Georgiana has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (38%). 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.
Is Georgiana 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 Butler County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Georgiana?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Georgiana’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 Georgiana?
By FEMA money that reached Georgiana, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 501 households applied for aid, $601K approved, and $65K to the Town of Georgiana for repairs.
Is Georgiana at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Georgiana’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Georgiana.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Georgiana’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.