Photo: Jadvii · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hahira faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hahira gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #173 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (32%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Hahira 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
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 Hahira’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hahira, and Hahira’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 32% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B #173 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hahira’s residents live in 2 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, Hahira has more expected damage per building than 65% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $930K a year in losses across Hahira: $678K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hahira flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hahira. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hahira isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lowndes County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hahira
Disasters that paid out in Hahira itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hahira), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene3,376 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$731K to the City of Hahira for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia515 households applied for aid$136K aid approved$199K to the City of Hahira for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$27K to the City of Hahira for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds31 households applied for aid$225K aid approved$3K to the City of Hahira for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$5K to the City of Hahira for repairs
Lowndes County has had 12 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 Hahira after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hahira archive →Get ready for what Hahira 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.
- 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 Hahira
Is Hahira at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hahira has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #173 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hahira 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 Lowndes County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hahira?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hahira’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 Hahira?
By FEMA money that reached Hahira, Hurricane Helene (2024): 3,376 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved, and $731K to the City of Hahira for repairs.
Is Hahira at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Hahira’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hahira.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hahira’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.