Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Moultrie’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moultrie gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #141 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1981.
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 stands out about Moultrie’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moultrie 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 Moultrie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moultrie, and Moultrie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 31% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #141 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moultrie’s residents live in 10 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, Moultrie has more expected damage per building than 53% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Moultrie: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moultrie flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moultrie, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dennis10 claims · $166K
Moultrie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Colquitt County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moultrie
Disasters that paid out in Moultrie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moultrie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,136 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$270K to the City of Moultrie for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia2 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$126K to the City of Moultrie for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael$433K to the City of Moultrie for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$323K to the City of Moultrie for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$41K to the City of Moultrie for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds51 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$392K to the City of Moultrie for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$114K to the City of Moultrie for repairs
Colquitt County has had 13 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 Moultrie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moultrie archive →Get ready for what Moultrie 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 Moultrie
Is Moultrie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moultrie has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #141 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moultrie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Moultrie since 1981, $848K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dennis (10).
Is Moultrie 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 Colquitt County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moultrie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moultrie’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 Moultrie?
By FEMA money that reached Moultrie, Hurricane Helene (2024): 2,136 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $270K to the City of Moultrie for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dennis: 10 paid, $166K.
Is Moultrie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Moultrie’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moultrie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moultrie’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.