Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Donalsonville than in 89% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Donalsonville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #243 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then river and rain flooding (45%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1984.
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 Donalsonville 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
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 Donalsonville’s grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Donalsonville, and Donalsonville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 45% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
D #243 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Donalsonville’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, Donalsonville has more expected damage per building than 92% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Donalsonville: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Donalsonville flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Donalsonville, from FEMA’s records: 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dennis1 claim · $16K
- Tropical Storm Alberto1 claim · $7K
Donalsonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Seminole County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Donalsonville
Disasters that paid out in Donalsonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Donalsonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael2,123 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$205K to the City of Donalsonville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Seminole County has had 7 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 Donalsonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Donalsonville archive →Get ready for what Donalsonville 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.
- 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 Donalsonville
Is Donalsonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Donalsonville has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #243 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (49%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Donalsonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Donalsonville since 1984, $472K in all, or 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dennis (1).
Is Donalsonville 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 Seminole County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Donalsonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Donalsonville’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 Donalsonville?
By FEMA money that reached Donalsonville, Hurricane Michael (2018): 2,123 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $205K to the City of Donalsonville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dennis: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Donalsonville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Donalsonville’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Donalsonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Donalsonville’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.