Photo: Robbie Honerkamp · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Blakely’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blakely gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #232 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (53%), then river and rain flooding (37%). 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 Blakely 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
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 Blakely’s grade
Hurricanes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blakely, and Blakely’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #232 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blakely’s residents live in 3 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, Blakely has more expected damage per building than 88% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Blakely: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blakely flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Blakely. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Blakely isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Early County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blakely
Disasters that paid out in Blakely itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Blakely), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael1,455 households applied for aid$728K aid approved$290K to the City of Blakely for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$55K to the City of Blakely for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds122 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$74K to the City of Blakely for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan25 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$26K to the City of Blakely for repairs
Early County has had 10 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 Blakely after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blakely archive →Get ready for what Blakely 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.
- 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 Blakely
Is Blakely at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blakely has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #232 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (53%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Blakely 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 Early County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Blakely?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blakely’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 Blakely?
By FEMA money that reached Blakely, Hurricane Michael (2018): 1,455 households applied for aid, $728K approved, and $290K to the City of Blakely for repairs.
Is Blakely at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Blakely’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blakely.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blakely’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.