Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Homerville than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homerville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Homerville 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 Homerville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Homerville, and Homerville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 33%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Homerville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Homerville: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Homerville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Homerville, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Homerville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clinch County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Homerville
Disasters that paid out in Homerville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Homerville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,803 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$1.8M to the City of Homerville for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$10K to the City of Homerville for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$116K to the City of Homerville for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$750 to the City of Homerville for repairs
Clinch 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clinch County, 2017–2026.
Old photos of Homerville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Homerville archive →Get ready for what Homerville 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 Homerville
Is Homerville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homerville has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Homerville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Homerville since 2016, $1K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Homerville 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 Clinch County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Homerville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Homerville’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 Homerville?
By FEMA money that reached Homerville, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,803 households applied for aid, $3.9M approved, and $1.8M to the City of Homerville for repairs.
Is Homerville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Homerville’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Homerville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Homerville’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.