Photo: Richardelainechambers at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Metter as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Metter gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #207 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2013.
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 Metter 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
Earthquakes
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 Metter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Metter, and Metter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 38% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #207 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Metter’s residents live in 2 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, Metter has more expected damage per building than 78% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Metter: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Metter flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Metter, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Metter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Candler County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Metter
Disasters that paid out in Metter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Metter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,616 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$438K to the City of Metter for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$10K to the City of Metter for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$93K to the City of Metter for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$75K to the City of Metter for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$8K to the City of Metter for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$13K to the City of Metter for repairs
Candler County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Metter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Metter archive →Get ready for what Metter 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Metter
Is Metter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Metter has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #207 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Metter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Metter since 2013, $4K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Metter 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 Candler County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Metter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Metter’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 Metter?
By FEMA money that reached Metter, Hurricane Helene (2024): 2,616 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $438K to the City of Metter for repairs.
Is Metter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Metter’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Metter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Metter’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.