On FEMA’s figures, Sylvania faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sylvania gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #239 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Sylvania 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
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 Sylvania’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sylvania, and Sylvania’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 24% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
D #239 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sylvania’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, Sylvania has more expected damage per building than 90% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Sylvania: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sylvania flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sylvania, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sylvania isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Screven County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sylvania
Disasters that paid out in Sylvania itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sylvania), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene3,020 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$787K to the City of Sylvania for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby294 households applied for aid$342K aid approved$32K to the City of Sylvania for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$114K to the City of Sylvania for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$418K to the City of Sylvania for repairs
Screven County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sylvania after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sylvania archive →Get ready for what Sylvania 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.
- 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 Sylvania
Is Sylvania at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sylvania has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #239 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sylvania flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Sylvania since 2024, $3K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sylvania 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 Screven County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sylvania?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sylvania’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 Sylvania?
By FEMA money that reached Sylvania, Hurricane Helene (2024): 3,020 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved, and $787K to the City of Sylvania for repairs.
Is Sylvania at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Sylvania’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sylvania.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sylvania’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.