Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Colquitt faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colquitt gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (55%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims 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 Colquitt 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
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 Colquitt’s grade
Hurricanes are 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colquitt, and Colquitt’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Colquitt’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Colquitt: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colquitt flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colquitt, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Colquitt isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Miller County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Colquitt
Disasters that paid out in Colquitt itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Colquitt), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael1,453 households applied for aid$869K aid approved$297K to the City of Colquitt for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$25K to the City of Colquitt for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds55 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$18K to the City of Colquitt for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan18 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$15K to the City of Colquitt for repairs
Miller County has had 9 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 Colquitt after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colquitt archive →Get ready for what Colquitt 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.
- 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 Colquitt
Is Colquitt at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colquitt has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (55%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Colquitt flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Colquitt since 2009, $9K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Colquitt 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 Miller County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Colquitt?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Colquitt’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 Colquitt?
By FEMA money that reached Colquitt, Hurricane Michael (2018): 1,453 households applied for aid, $869K approved, and $297K to the City of Colquitt for repairs.
Is Colquitt at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Colquitt’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colquitt.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colquitt’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.