Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Fitzgerald than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fitzgerald gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #39 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1997.
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 Fitzgerald 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
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 Fitzgerald’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fitzgerald, and Fitzgerald’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 24% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A #39 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fitzgerald’s residents live in 6 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, Fitzgerald has less expected damage per building than 86% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Fitzgerald: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fitzgerald flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fitzgerald, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $6K
Fitzgerald isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ben Hill County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fitzgerald
Disasters that paid out in Fitzgerald itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fitzgerald), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene3,139 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$423K to the City of Fitzgerald for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael$96K to the City of Fitzgerald for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$106K to the City of Fitzgerald for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds190 households applied for aid$198K aid approved$109K to the City of Fitzgerald for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$26K to the City of Fitzgerald for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Ben Hill 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 Fitzgerald after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fitzgerald archive →Get ready for what Fitzgerald 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.
- 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 Fitzgerald
Is Fitzgerald at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fitzgerald has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #39 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fitzgerald flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Fitzgerald since 1997, $149K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Fitzgerald 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 Ben Hill County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fitzgerald?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fitzgerald’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 Fitzgerald?
By FEMA money that reached Fitzgerald, Hurricane Helene (2024): 3,139 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved, and $423K to the City of Fitzgerald for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Fitzgerald at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Fitzgerald’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fitzgerald.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fitzgerald’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.