Long County Courthouse · Photo: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Ludowici than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ludowici gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (50%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
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 Ludowici 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 Ludowici’s grade
Hurricanes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ludowici, and Ludowici’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ludowici’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $640K a year in losses across Ludowici: $499K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ludowici flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ludowici, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ludowici isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Long County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ludowici
Disasters that paid out in Ludowici itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ludowici), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,964 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$276K to the City of Ludowici for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby152 households applied for aid$189K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$43K to the City of Ludowici for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew282 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$61K to the City of Ludowici for repairs
Long County has had 10 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Long County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Ludowici after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ludowici archive →Get ready for what Ludowici 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 Ludowici
Is Ludowici at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ludowici has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (50%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ludowici flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ludowici since 2017, $17K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ludowici 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 Long County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ludowici?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ludowici’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 Ludowici?
By FEMA money that reached Ludowici, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,964 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $276K to the City of Ludowici for repairs.
Is Ludowici at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Ludowici’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ludowici.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ludowici’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.