Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Bainbridge faces more hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bainbridge gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #247 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 37 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 Bainbridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bainbridge 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
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 Bainbridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bainbridge, and Bainbridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D #247 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bainbridge’s residents live in 5 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, Bainbridge has more expected damage per building than 94% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.9M a year in losses across Bainbridge: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bainbridge flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bainbridge, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto11 claims · $372K
Bainbridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Decatur County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bainbridge
Disasters that paid out in Bainbridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bainbridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael3,450 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$1.9M to the City of Bainbridge for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$169K to the City of Bainbridge for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding$229K to the City of Bainbridge for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds74 households applied for aid$183K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$8K to the City of Bainbridge for repairs
Decatur County has had 13 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 Bainbridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bainbridge archive →Get ready for what Bainbridge 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.
- 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 Bainbridge
Is Bainbridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bainbridge has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #247 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bainbridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Bainbridge since 1978, $969K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (11).
Is Bainbridge 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 Decatur County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bainbridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bainbridge’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 Bainbridge?
By FEMA money that reached Bainbridge, Hurricane Michael (2018): 3,450 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $1.9M to the City of Bainbridge for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 11 paid, $372K.
Is Bainbridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Bainbridge’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bainbridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bainbridge’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.