Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Albany than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albany gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #217 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 741 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 stands out about Albany’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Albany 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 Albany’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Albany, and Albany’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 15% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #217 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Albany’s residents live in 27 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Albany has more expected damage per building than 82% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.2M a year in losses across Albany: $22.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Albany flood? Yes: 741 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Albany, from FEMA’s records: 22.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto409 claims · $15.8M
- The Early winter storms3 claims · $22K
- Hurricane Dennis3 claims · $93K
Albany is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dougherty County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Albany
Disasters that paid out in Albany itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Albany), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael9,319 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$12.9M to the City of Albany for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $9K
- 2017Hurricane Irma1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved$530K to the City of Albany for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2,297 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$1.5M to the City of Albany for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds2,820 households applied for aid$631K aid approved$11.4M to the City of Albany for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds93 households applied for aid$204K aid approved$306K to the City of Albany for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes31 households applied for aid$111K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$118K to the City of Albany for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$200K to the City of Albany for repairs
Dougherty County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Albany after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Albany archive →Get ready for what Albany 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.
- Albany residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Albany
Is Albany at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albany has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #217 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Albany flood?
Flood insurance has paid 741 claims in Albany since 1978, $19.4M in all, or 22.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 52 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (409).
Is Albany 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 Dougherty County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Albany?
Albany is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Albany?
By FEMA money that reached Albany, Hurricane Michael (2018): 9,319 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $12.9M to the City of Albany for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 409 paid, $15.8M.
Is Albany at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Albany’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Albany.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Albany’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.