Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hazlehurst as in the typical U.S. town, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hazlehurst gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #185 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Hazlehurst 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
Tornadoes
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 Hazlehurst’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hazlehurst, and Hazlehurst’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 41% (lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #185 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hazlehurst’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, Hazlehurst has more expected damage per building than 70% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Hazlehurst: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hazlehurst flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hazlehurst, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Idalia1 claim · $751
Hazlehurst isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jeff Davis County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hazlehurst
Disasters that paid out in Hazlehurst itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hazlehurst), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene4,405 households applied for aid$7.6M aid approved$15.9M to the City of Hazlehurst for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$32K to the City of Hazlehurst for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$16K to the City of Hazlehurst for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$29K to the City of Hazlehurst for repairs
Jeff Davis County has had 13 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 Hazlehurst after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hazlehurst archive →Get ready for what Hazlehurst 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hazlehurst
Is Hazlehurst at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hazlehurst has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #185 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hazlehurst flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Hazlehurst since 2003, $18K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Idalia (1).
Is Hazlehurst 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 Jeff Davis 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 Hazlehurst?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hazlehurst’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 Hazlehurst?
By FEMA money that reached Hazlehurst, Hurricane Helene (2024): 4,405 households applied for aid, $7.6M approved, and $15.9M to the City of Hazlehurst for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Idalia: 1 paid, $751.
Is Hazlehurst at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Hazlehurst’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hazlehurst.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hazlehurst’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.