Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Reidsville than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reidsville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #240 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
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 Reidsville 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 Reidsville’s grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Reidsville, and Reidsville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 19% (lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D #240 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Reidsville’s residents live in 2 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, Reidsville has more expected damage per building than 91% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Reidsville: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Reidsville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Reidsville, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Reidsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tattnall County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Reidsville
Disasters that paid out in Reidsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Reidsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,572 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$446K to the City of Reidsville for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$14K to the City of Reidsville for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$28K to the City of Reidsville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds4 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$10K to the City of Reidsville for repairs
Tattnall County has had 15 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 Reidsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Reidsville archive →Get ready for what Reidsville 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 Reidsville
Is Reidsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reidsville has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #240 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Reidsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Reidsville since 2005, $43K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Reidsville 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 Tattnall County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Reidsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Reidsville’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 Reidsville?
By FEMA money that reached Reidsville, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,572 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $446K to the City of Reidsville for repairs.
Is Reidsville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Reidsville’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Reidsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Reidsville’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.