Brantley County Courthouse · Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Nahunta’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nahunta gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (53%), then river and rain flooding (39%). 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 Nahunta faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Nahunta’s grade
Hurricanes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nahunta, and Nahunta’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nahunta’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $444K a year in losses across Nahunta: $333K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nahunta flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Nahunta. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Nahunta isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brantley County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nahunta
Disasters that paid out in Nahunta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nahunta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene547 households applied for aid$469K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$51K to the City of Nahunta for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$33K to the City of Nahunta for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds10 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$7K to the City of Nahunta for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$877 to the City of Nahunta for repairs
Brantley 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Brantley County, 2007–2026.
Old photos of Nahunta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nahunta archive →Get ready for what Nahunta faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Nahunta
Is Nahunta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nahunta has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (53%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Nahunta 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 Brantley County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nahunta?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nahunta’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 Nahunta?
By FEMA money that reached Nahunta, Hurricane Helene (2024): 547 households applied for aid, $469K approved.
Is Nahunta at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Nahunta’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nahunta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nahunta’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.