Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Ocilla as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocilla gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #176 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (42%). 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 Ocilla 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 Ocilla’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ocilla, and Ocilla’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 42% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B #176 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ocilla’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, Ocilla has more expected damage per building than 67% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Ocilla: $862K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ocilla flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ocilla. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ocilla isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Irwin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ocilla
Disasters that paid out in Ocilla itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ocilla), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,247 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$791K to the City of Ocilla for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$57K to the City of Ocilla for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$771 to the City of Ocilla for repairs
Irwin County has had 8 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 Ocilla after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ocilla archive →Get ready for what Ocilla 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 Ocilla
Is Ocilla at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocilla has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #176 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ocilla 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 Irwin County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ocilla?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ocilla’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 Ocilla?
By FEMA money that reached Ocilla, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,247 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $791K to the City of Ocilla for repairs.
Is Ocilla at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Ocilla’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ocilla.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ocilla’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.