Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Centerville faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centerville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #82 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Centerville 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
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 Centerville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Centerville, and Centerville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #82 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Centerville’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, Centerville has less expected damage per building than 69% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Centerville: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Centerville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Centerville, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $95K
Centerville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houston County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Centerville
Disasters that paid out in Centerville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Centerville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$25K to the City of Centerville for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$15K to the City of Centerville for repairs
Houston 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 Centerville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Centerville archive →Centerville and its neighbors
Centerville is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Robins | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 81 |
| Centerville | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Centerville 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Centerville
Is Centerville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centerville has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #82 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Centerville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Centerville since 2009, $95K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Centerville 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 Houston County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Centerville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Centerville’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 Centerville?
By FEMA money that reached Centerville, Hurricane Irma (2017): $25K to the City of Centerville for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $95K.
Is Centerville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Centerville’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Centerville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Centerville’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.