Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Cordele faces more hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cordele gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #210 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1991.
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 Cordele 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 Cordele’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cordele, and Cordele’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #210 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cordele’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, Cordele has more expected damage per building than 79% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Cordele: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cordele flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cordele, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cordele isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crisp County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cordele
Disasters that paid out in Cordele itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cordele), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael1,580 households applied for aid$503K aid approved$173K to the City of Cordele for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$48K to the City of Cordele for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding159 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$20K to the City of Cordele for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$22K to the City of Cordele for repairs
Crisp County has had 11 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 Cordele after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cordele archive →Get ready for what Cordele 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 Cordele
Is Cordele at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cordele has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #210 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cordele flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Cordele since 1991, $238K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cordele 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 Crisp County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cordele?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cordele’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 Cordele?
By FEMA money that reached Cordele, Hurricane Michael (2018): 1,580 households applied for aid, $503K approved, and $173K to the City of Cordele for repairs.
Is Cordele at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Cordele’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cordele.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cordele’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.