Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Jesup than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jesup gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #223 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Jesup 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
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 Jesup’s grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jesup, and Jesup’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C #223 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jesup’s residents live in 5 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, Jesup has more expected damage per building than 84% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Jesup: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jesup flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jesup, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jesup isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jesup
Disasters that paid out in Jesup itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jesup), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene3,352 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$686K to the City of Jesup for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$62K to the City of Jesup for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$34K to the City of Jesup for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma2 households applied for aid$185K to the City of Jesup for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew391 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$249K to the City of Jesup for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$11K to the City of Jesup for repairs
Wayne 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 Jesup after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jesup archive →Get ready for what Jesup 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.
- 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 Jesup
Is Jesup at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jesup has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #223 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jesup flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Jesup since 2003, $53K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jesup 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 Wayne County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jesup?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jesup’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 Jesup?
By FEMA money that reached Jesup, Hurricane Helene (2024): 3,352 households applied for aid, $2.6M approved, and $686K to the City of Jesup for repairs.
Is Jesup at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Jesup’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jesup.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jesup’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.