On FEMA’s figures, Pooler faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pooler gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #255 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 67 claims here since 1979.
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 Pooler’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pooler 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 Pooler’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pooler, and Pooler’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 25% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #255 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pooler’s residents live in 9 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, Pooler has more expected damage per building than 97% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.5M a year in losses across Pooler: $23.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pooler flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pooler, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew17 claims · $411K
- Hurricane Debby8 claims · $351K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $23K
Pooler is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chatham County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pooler
Disasters that paid out in Pooler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pooler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,049 households applied for aid$725K aid approved$509K to the City of Pooler for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $23K
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby196 households applied for aid$297K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $351K
- 2017Hurricane Irma910 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$106K to the City of Pooler for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew477 households applied for aid$143K aid approved$305K to the City of Pooler for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $411K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$9K to the City of Pooler for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Chatham 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 Pooler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pooler archive →Pooler and its neighbors
Pooler is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,854 |
| Pooler | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 67 |
| Bloomingdale | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 22 |
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 Pooler 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.
- Pooler residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Pooler
Is Pooler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pooler has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #255 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pooler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Pooler since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (17).
Is Pooler 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 Chatham County, 81% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 20.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pooler?
Pooler is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Pooler?
By FEMA money that reached Pooler, Hurricane Helene (2024): 2,049 households applied for aid, $725K approved, and $509K to the City of Pooler for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 17 paid, $411K.
Is Pooler at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Pooler’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pooler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pooler’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.