Photo: Bubba73 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Pembroke’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pembroke gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #246 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims 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 Pembroke 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 Pembroke’s grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pembroke, and Pembroke’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
D #246 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pembroke’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, Pembroke has more expected damage per building than 93% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Pembroke: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pembroke flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pembroke, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Debby2 claims · $44K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $3K
Pembroke isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bryan County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pembroke
Disasters that paid out in Pembroke itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pembroke), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,085 households applied for aid$929K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Pembroke for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby65 households applied for aid$178K aid approved$32K to the City of Pembroke for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $44K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$26K to the City of Pembroke for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew195 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$201K to the City of Pembroke for repairs
Bryan 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bryan County, 2007–2007.
Old photos of Pembroke after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pembroke archive →Get ready for what Pembroke 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 Pembroke
Is Pembroke at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pembroke has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #246 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (21%). 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 Pembroke flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Pembroke since 2024, $47K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Debby (2).
Is Pembroke 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 Bryan County, 93% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 20.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pembroke?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pembroke’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 Pembroke?
By FEMA money that reached Pembroke, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,085 households applied for aid, $929K approved, and $1.5M to the City of Pembroke for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Debby: 2 paid, $44K.
Is Pembroke at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Pembroke’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pembroke.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pembroke’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.