United States Post Office-Baxley, Georgia · Photo: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Baxley than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baxley gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #238 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1998.
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 Baxley faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Baxley’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Baxley, and Baxley’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #238 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Baxley’s residents live in 6 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, Baxley has more expected damage per building than 90% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Baxley: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Baxley flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Baxley, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Idalia1 claim · $84K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $4K
Baxley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Appling County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Baxley
Disasters that paid out in Baxley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Baxley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene4,612 households applied for aid$8.5M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Baxley for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$115K to the City of Baxley for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$118K to the City of Baxley for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $84K
- 2017Hurricane Irma1 households applied for aid$52K to the City of Baxley for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$36K to the City of Baxley for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$5K to the City of Baxley for repairs
Appling County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Baxley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Baxley archive →Get ready for what Baxley faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Baxley
Is Baxley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baxley has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #238 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Baxley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Baxley since 1998, $185K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Idalia (1).
Is Baxley 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 Appling County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Baxley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Baxley’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 Baxley?
By FEMA money that reached Baxley, Hurricane Helene (2024): 4,612 households applied for aid, $8.5M approved, and $1.6M to the City of Baxley for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Idalia: 1 paid, $84K.
Is Baxley at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Baxley’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Baxley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Baxley’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.