Photo: Jud McCranie · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Glennville faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glennville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #241 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2003.
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 Glennville 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 Glennville’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glennville, and Glennville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 20% (lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
D #241 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glennville’s residents live in 3 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, Glennville has more expected damage per building than 91% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Glennville: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glennville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glennville, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Glennville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tattnall County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Glennville
Disasters that paid out in Glennville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Glennville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,221 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$469K to the City of Glennville for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby15 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma1 households applied for aid$83K to the City of Glennville for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew20 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$204K to the City of Glennville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$44K to the City of Glennville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Tattnall County has had 15 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 Glennville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glennville archive →Get ready for what Glennville 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 Glennville
Is Glennville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glennville has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #241 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Glennville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Glennville since 2003, $33K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Glennville 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 Tattnall County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Glennville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glennville’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 Glennville?
By FEMA money that reached Glennville, Hurricane Helene (2024): 2,221 households applied for aid, $2.1M approved, and $469K to the City of Glennville for repairs.
Is Glennville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Glennville’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glennville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glennville’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.