FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Evans as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Evans gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #204 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2019.
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 Evans 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
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 Evans’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Evans, and Evans’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #204 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Evans’ residents live in 8 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, Evans has more expected damage per building than 77% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.1M a year in losses across Evans: $11.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Evans flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Evans, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene2 claims · $242K
Evans isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Evans
Disasters that paid out in Evans itself (aid to households or repair grants to Evans), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene11,332 households applied for aid$7.7M aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $242K
Columbia County has had 8 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 Evans after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Evans archive →Evans and its neighbors
Evans is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martinez | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Evans | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Evans 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.
- 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 Evans
Is Evans at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Evans has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #204 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Evans flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Evans since 2019, $468K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (2).
Is Evans 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 Columbia County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Evans?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Evans’ 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 Evans?
By FEMA money that reached Evans, Hurricane Helene (2024): 11,332 households applied for aid, $7.7M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 2 paid, $242K.
Is Evans at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Evans’ rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Evans.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Evans’ 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.