Photo: Emmanuel2312 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in McRae-Helena as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McRae-Helena gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #187 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (33%). 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 McRae-Helena 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
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 McRae-Helena’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in McRae-Helena, and McRae-Helena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 33% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #187 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McRae-Helena’s residents live in 3 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, McRae-Helena has more expected damage per building than 71% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across McRae-Helena: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McRae-Helena flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in McRae-Helena. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
McRae-Helena isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Telfair County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McRae-Helena
Disasters that paid out in McRae-Helena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McRae-Helena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene15 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$2.3M to the City of McRae-Helena for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael$67K to the City of McRae-Helena for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$120K to the City of McRae-Helena for repairs
Telfair 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 McRae-Helena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McRae-Helena archive →Get ready for what McRae-Helena 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.
- 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 McRae-Helena
Is McRae-Helena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McRae-Helena has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #187 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is McRae-Helena 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 Telfair County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McRae-Helena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McRae-Helena’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 McRae-Helena?
By FEMA money that reached McRae-Helena, Hurricane Helene (2024): 15 households applied for aid, $21K approved, and $2.3M to the City of McRae-Helena for repairs.
Is McRae-Helena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and McRae-Helena’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McRae-Helena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McRae-Helena’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.