Photo: JohnnyReb1977 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Claxton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 67% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Claxton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #220 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (40%). 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 Claxton 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
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 Claxton’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Claxton, and Claxton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 40% (lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
C #220 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Claxton’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, Claxton has more expected damage per building than 83% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Claxton: $999K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Claxton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Claxton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Claxton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Evans County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Claxton
Disasters that paid out in Claxton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Claxton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,456 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$427K to the City of Claxton for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby217 households applied for aid$660K aid approved$139K to the City of Claxton for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew241 households applied for aid$82K aid approved$58K to the City of Claxton for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$6K to the City of Claxton for repairs
Evans County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Claxton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Claxton archive →Claxton and its neighbors
Claxton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claxton | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 0 |
| Hagan | — | not graded yet | |
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 Claxton 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.
- 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 Claxton
Is Claxton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Claxton has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #220 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Claxton 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 Evans County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Claxton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Claxton’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 Claxton?
By FEMA money that reached Claxton, Hurricane Helene (2024): 2,456 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved, and $427K to the City of Claxton for repairs.
Is Claxton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Claxton’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Claxton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Claxton’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.