Photo: Stephen Matthew Milligan · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Milledgeville than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milledgeville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #157 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1983.
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 Milledgeville 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
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 Milledgeville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milledgeville, and Milledgeville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #157 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Milledgeville’s residents live in 9 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, Milledgeville has more expected damage per building than 59% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Milledgeville: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milledgeville flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milledgeville, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $2K
Milledgeville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Baldwin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milledgeville
Disasters that paid out in Milledgeville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Milledgeville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$153K to the City of Milledgeville for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$72K to the City of Milledgeville for repairs
Baldwin County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Milledgeville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milledgeville archive →Milledgeville and its neighbors
Milledgeville is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwick | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Milledgeville | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Milledgeville 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.
- 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 Milledgeville
Is Milledgeville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milledgeville has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #157 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Milledgeville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Milledgeville since 1983, $116K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Milledgeville 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 Baldwin County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Milledgeville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milledgeville’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 Milledgeville?
By FEMA money that reached Milledgeville, Hurricane Irma (2017): $153K to the City of Milledgeville for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Milledgeville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Milledgeville’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milledgeville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milledgeville’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.