Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Dublin’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dublin gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #70 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1995.
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 Dublin 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
Earthquakes
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 Dublin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dublin, and Dublin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #70 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dublin’s residents live in 7 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, Dublin has less expected damage per building than 74% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Dublin: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dublin flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dublin, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $68K
Dublin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Laurens County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dublin
Disasters that paid out in Dublin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dublin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene5,083 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved$996K to the City of Dublin for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael255 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$321K to the City of Dublin for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$316K to the City of Dublin for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes55 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$147K to the City of Dublin for repairs
Laurens County has had 13 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 Dublin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dublin archive →Get ready for what Dublin 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Dublin
Is Dublin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dublin has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #70 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dublin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Dublin since 1995, $609K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Dublin 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 Laurens County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dublin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dublin’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 Dublin?
By FEMA money that reached Dublin, Hurricane Helene (2024): 5,083 households applied for aid, $3.8M approved, and $996K to the City of Dublin for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $68K.
Is Dublin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Dublin’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dublin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dublin’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.