Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Pelham than in 63% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pelham gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #214 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Pelham 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 Pelham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pelham, and Pelham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 38% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #214 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pelham’s residents live in 3 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, Pelham has more expected damage per building than 81% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Pelham: $983K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pelham flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pelham, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pelham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mitchell County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pelham
Disasters that paid out in Pelham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pelham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Michael848 households applied for aid$193K aid approved$109K to the City of Pelham for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds24 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Mitchell County has had 12 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 Pelham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pelham archive →Get ready for what Pelham 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 Pelham
Is Pelham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pelham has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #214 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pelham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Pelham since 2024, $3K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pelham 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 Mitchell County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pelham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pelham’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 Pelham?
By FEMA money that reached Pelham, Hurricane Michael (2018): 848 households applied for aid, $193K approved, and $109K to the City of Pelham for repairs.
Is Pelham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Pelham’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pelham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pelham’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.