Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, St. Simons faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Simons gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #242 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then coastal flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 99 claims here since 2016.
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 St. Simons’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What St. Simons faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
Wildfire
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 St. Simons’ grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Simons, and St. Simons’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #242 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Simons’ residents live in 8 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, St. Simons has more expected damage per building than 92% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.9M a year in losses across St. Simons: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Simons flood? Sometimes: 99 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Simons, from FEMA’s records: 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma70 claims · $2.4M
- Hurricane Nicole12 claims · $318K
- Hurricane Matthew7 claims · $93K
St. Simons isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Glynn County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Simons
Disasters that paid out in St. Simons itself (aid to households or repair grants to St. Simons), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma37 households applied for aid$10K aid approved70 flood claims paid for it, $2.4M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew8 households applied for aid$200 aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $93K
Glynn County has had 14 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 St. Simons after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Simons archive →Get ready for what St. Simons 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 St. Simons
Is St. Simons at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Simons has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #242 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and coastal flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Simons flood?
Flood insurance has paid 99 claims in St. Simons since 2016, $2.9M in all, or 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (70).
Is St. Simons 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 Glynn County, 90% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 31.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in St. Simons?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Simons’ 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 St. Simons?
By FEMA money that reached St. Simons, Hurricane Irma (2017): 37 households applied for aid, $10K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 70 paid, $2.4M.
Is St. Simons at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and St. Simons’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Simons.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Simons’ 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.