Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Camilla faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camilla gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #228 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1983.
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 Camilla’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Camilla 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 Camilla’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Camilla, and Camilla’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 34% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #228 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Camilla’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, Camilla has more expected damage per building than 86% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Camilla: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Camilla flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Camilla, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto2 claims · $31K
Camilla isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mitchell County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Camilla
Disasters that paid out in Camilla itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Camilla), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael1,293 households applied for aid$448K aid approved$478K to the City of Camilla for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds122 households applied for aid$238K aid approved$28K to the City of Camilla for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$63K to the City of Camilla for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms/tornados$48K to the City of Camilla for repairs
Mitchell County has had 12 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 Camilla after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Camilla archive →Get ready for what Camilla 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 Camilla
Is Camilla at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camilla has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #228 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Camilla flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Camilla since 1983, $200K in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (2).
Is Camilla 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 Mitchell County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Camilla?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Camilla’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 Camilla?
By FEMA money that reached Camilla, Hurricane Michael (2018): 1,293 households applied for aid, $448K approved, and $478K to the City of Camilla for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 2 paid, $31K.
Is Camilla at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Camilla’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Camilla.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Camilla’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.