Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Montezuma faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montezuma gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #180 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1996.
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 Montezuma 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 Montezuma’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montezuma, and Montezuma’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #180 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Montezuma’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Montezuma has more expected damage per building than 68% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Montezuma: $886K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montezuma flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montezuma, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Montezuma isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Macon County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Montezuma
Disasters that paid out in Montezuma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Montezuma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael$64K to the City of Montezuma for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$71K to the City of Montezuma for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$22K to the City of Montezuma for repairs
Macon County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Montezuma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montezuma archive →Get ready for what Montezuma 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 Montezuma
Is Montezuma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montezuma has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #180 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (13%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Montezuma flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Montezuma since 1996, $3K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Montezuma 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 Macon 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 Montezuma?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montezuma’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 Montezuma?
By FEMA money that reached Montezuma, Hurricane Irma (2017): $71K to the City of Montezuma for repairs.
Is Montezuma at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Montezuma’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montezuma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montezuma’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.