Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Port Wentworth faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Wentworth gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #261 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1987.
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 Port Wentworth’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Wentworth 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 Port Wentworth’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Wentworth, and Port Wentworth’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #261 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Wentworth’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, Port Wentworth has more expected damage per building than 99% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.8M a year in losses across Port Wentworth: $15.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Wentworth flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Wentworth, from FEMA’s records: 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $41K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $9K
Port Wentworth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chatham County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Wentworth
Disasters that paid out in Port Wentworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Wentworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,008 households applied for aid$782K aid approved$550K to the City of Port Wentworth for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby179 households applied for aid$88K aid approved$119K to the City of Port Wentworth for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma578 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$103K to the City of Port Wentworth for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew315 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$239K to the City of Port Wentworth for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $41K
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 Port Wentworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Wentworth archive →Port Wentworth and its neighbors
Port Wentworth is 3rd 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 |
| Garden City | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 55 |
| Port Wentworth | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 40 |
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 Port Wentworth 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 Port Wentworth
Is Port Wentworth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Wentworth has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #261 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Wentworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Port Wentworth since 1987, $357K in all, or 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (3).
Is Port Wentworth 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 Port Wentworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Wentworth’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 Port Wentworth?
By FEMA money that reached Port Wentworth, Hurricane Helene (2024): 2,008 households applied for aid, $782K approved, and $550K to the City of Port Wentworth for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 3 paid, $41K.
Is Port Wentworth at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Port Wentworth’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Wentworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Wentworth’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.