Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Perry than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perry gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #53 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1994.
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 Perry’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Perry 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
Earthquakes
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 Perry’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Perry, and Perry’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #53 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Perry’s residents live in 11 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, Perry has less expected damage per building than 80% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Perry: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Perry flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Perry, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $46K
- Tropical Storm Alberto1 claim · $12K
Perry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houston County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Perry
Disasters that paid out in Perry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Perry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael$96K to the City of Perry for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$109K to the City of Perry for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Perry for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$31K to the City of Perry for repairs
Houston County has had 12 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 Perry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Perry archive →Perry and its neighbors
Perry is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Robins | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 81 |
| Perry | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Perry 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Perry
Is Perry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perry has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #53 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Perry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Perry since 1994, $63K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Perry 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 Houston County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Perry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Perry’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 Perry?
By FEMA money that reached Perry, Hurricane Irma (2017): $109K to the City of Perry for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $46K.
Is Perry at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Perry’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Perry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Perry’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.