Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Blackshear than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blackshear gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #227 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2009.
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 Blackshear 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 Blackshear’s grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blackshear, and Blackshear’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #227 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blackshear’s residents live in 4 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, Blackshear has more expected damage per building than 86% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Blackshear: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blackshear flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blackshear, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Blackshear isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pierce County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blackshear
Disasters that paid out in Blackshear itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Blackshear), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene3,962 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Blackshear for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$545K to the City of Blackshear for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$123K to the City of Blackshear for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$159K to the City of Blackshear for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$103K to the City of Blackshear for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds41 households applied for aid$247K aid approved$4K to the City of Blackshear for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$24K to the City of Blackshear for repairs
Pierce County has had 12 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 Blackshear after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blackshear archive →Get ready for what Blackshear 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 Blackshear
Is Blackshear at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blackshear has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #227 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blackshear flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Blackshear since 2009, $51K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Blackshear 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 Pierce County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Blackshear?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blackshear’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 Blackshear?
By FEMA money that reached Blackshear, Hurricane Helene (2024): 3,962 households applied for aid, $3.7M approved, and $1.3M to the City of Blackshear for repairs.
Is Blackshear at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Blackshear’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blackshear.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blackshear’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.