Bulloch County Courthouse · Photo: Bubba73 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Statesboro faces more hazard damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Statesboro gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #213 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 1989.
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 Statesboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Statesboro 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Statesboro’s grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Statesboro, and Statesboro’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #213 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Statesboro’s residents live in 13 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, Statesboro has more expected damage per building than 81% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across Statesboro: $9.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Statesboro flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Statesboro, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Idalia1 claim · $4K
Statesboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bulloch County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Statesboro
Disasters that paid out in Statesboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Statesboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene8,483 households applied for aid$4.4M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Statesboro for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby846 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$176K to the City of Statesboro for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew359 households applied for aid$176K aid approved$387K to the City of Statesboro for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$89K to the City of Statesboro for repairs
Bulloch 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.
Old photos of Statesboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Statesboro archive →Get ready for what Statesboro 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Statesboro
Is Statesboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Statesboro has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #213 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Statesboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Statesboro since 1989, $532K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Idalia (1).
Is Statesboro 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 Bulloch County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Statesboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Statesboro’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 Statesboro?
By FEMA money that reached Statesboro, Hurricane Helene (2024): 8,483 households applied for aid, $4.4M approved, and $1.2M to the City of Statesboro for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Idalia: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Statesboro at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Statesboro’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Statesboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Statesboro’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.