Richmond Hill Plantation · Photo: David Deiner, Photographer · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Richmond Hill than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond Hill gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #256 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (70%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 102 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 Richmond Hill’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Richmond Hill 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 Richmond Hill’s grade
Hurricanes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richmond Hill, and Richmond Hill’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #256 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richmond Hill’s residents live in 4 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, Richmond Hill has more expected damage per building than 97% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.0M a year in losses across Richmond Hill: $10.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richmond Hill flood? Yes: 102 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richmond Hill, from FEMA’s records: 15.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew19 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Debby17 claims · $451K
- Hurricane Irma3 claims · $25K
Richmond Hill is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bryan County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richmond Hill
Disasters that paid out in Richmond Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richmond Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,193 households applied for aid$813K aid approved$782K to the City of Richmond Hill for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby541 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$655K to the City of Richmond Hill for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $451K
- 2017Hurricane Irma3 households applied for aid$500 aid approved$190K to the City of Richmond Hill for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $25K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew547 households applied for aid$218K aid approved$502K to the City of Richmond Hill for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$13K to the City of Richmond Hill for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
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 Richmond Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richmond Hill archive →Get ready for what Richmond Hill 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.
- Richmond Hill residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Richmond Hill
Is Richmond Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond Hill has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #256 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (70%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richmond Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 102 claims in Richmond Hill since 1994, $4.3M in all, or 15.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (19).
Is Richmond Hill 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 Richmond Hill?
Richmond Hill is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Richmond Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Richmond Hill, Tropical Storm Debby (2024): 541 households applied for aid, $2.1M approved, and $655K to the City of Richmond Hill for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 19 paid, $1.1M.
Is Richmond Hill at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Richmond Hill’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richmond Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richmond Hill’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.