FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bloomingdale than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomingdale gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #257 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (69%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1987.
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 Bloomingdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bloomingdale 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 Bloomingdale’s grade
Hurricanes are 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bloomingdale, and Bloomingdale’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #257 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bloomingdale’s residents live in 2 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, Bloomingdale has more expected damage per building than 97% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Bloomingdale: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bloomingdale flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bloomingdale, from FEMA’s records: 17.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bloomingdale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chatham County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bloomingdale
Disasters that paid out in Bloomingdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bloomingdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene913 households applied for aid$572K aid approved
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby122 households applied for aid$628K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma107 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$92K to the City of Bloomingdale for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew190 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$177K to the City of Bloomingdale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$2K to the City of Bloomingdale for repairs
Chatham 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 Bloomingdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bloomingdale archive →Bloomingdale and its neighbors
Bloomingdale is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Bloomingdale 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.
- Bloomingdale residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bloomingdale
Is Bloomingdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomingdale has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #257 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (69%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bloomingdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Bloomingdale since 1987, $298K in all, or 17.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bloomingdale 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 Chatham County, 81% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 20.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bloomingdale?
Bloomingdale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Bloomingdale?
By FEMA money that reached Bloomingdale, Tropical Storm Debby (2024): 122 households applied for aid, $628K approved.
Is Bloomingdale at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Bloomingdale’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bloomingdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bloomingdale’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.