Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Cairo’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cairo gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #215 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Cairo 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
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 Cairo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cairo, and Cairo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 42% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #215 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cairo’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, Cairo has more expected damage per building than 81% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Cairo: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cairo flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cairo, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cairo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grady County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cairo
Disasters that paid out in Cairo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cairo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael1,220 households applied for aid$222K aid approved$634K to the City of Cairo for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$93K to the City of Cairo for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$52K to the City of Cairo for repairs
Grady County has had 11 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 Cairo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cairo archive →Get ready for what Cairo 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.
- 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 Cairo
Is Cairo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cairo has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #215 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cairo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Cairo since 2021, $2K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cairo 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 Grady County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cairo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cairo’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 Cairo?
By FEMA money that reached Cairo, Hurricane Michael (2018): 1,220 households applied for aid, $222K approved, and $634K to the City of Cairo for repairs.
Is Cairo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Cairo’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cairo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cairo’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.