Photo: John Trainor · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Eatonton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eatonton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #151 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Eatonton 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
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
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 Eatonton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eatonton, and Eatonton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #151 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eatonton’s residents live in 4 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, Eatonton has more expected damage per building than 57% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Eatonton: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eatonton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eatonton, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $2K
Eatonton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eatonton
Disasters that paid out in Eatonton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eatonton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael$28K to the City of Eatonton for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$90K to the City of Eatonton for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$9K to the City of Eatonton for repairs
Putnam County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Eatonton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eatonton archive →Get ready for what Eatonton 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Eatonton
Is Eatonton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eatonton has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #151 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eatonton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Eatonton since 2009, $2K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Eatonton 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 Putnam County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eatonton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eatonton’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 Eatonton?
By FEMA money that reached Eatonton, Hurricane Irma (2017): $90K to the City of Eatonton for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Eatonton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Eatonton’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eatonton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eatonton’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.