Photo: BakedintheHole · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Tybee Island than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tybee Island gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #262 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then coastal flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 544 claims here since 1979.
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 Tybee Island’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tybee Island 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
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 Tybee Island’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tybee Island, and Tybee Island’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 28%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #262 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tybee Island’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, Tybee Island has more expected damage per building than 99% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Tybee Island: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tybee Island flood? Yes: 544 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tybee Island, from FEMA’s records: 168.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma235 claims · $8.9M
- Hurricane Matthew167 claims · $4.6M
- Hurricane Debby3 claims · $22K
Tybee Island is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chatham County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tybee Island
Disasters that paid out in Tybee Island itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tybee Island), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene82 households applied for aid$150K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $239K
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2017Hurricane Irma327 households applied for aid$536K aid approved235 flood claims paid for it, $8.9M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew435 households applied for aid$257K aid approved167 flood claims paid for it, $4.6M
Chatham County has had 12 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 Tybee Island after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tybee Island archive →Get ready for what Tybee Island 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.
- 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.
- Tybee Island residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Tybee Island
Is Tybee Island at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tybee Island has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #262 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and coastal flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tybee Island flood?
Flood insurance has paid 544 claims in Tybee Island since 1979, $14.7M in all, or 168.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 99 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (235).
Is Tybee Island 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 Chatham County, 81% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 20.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tybee Island?
Tybee Island is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Tybee Island?
By FEMA money that reached Tybee Island, Hurricane Irma (2017): 327 households applied for aid, $536K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 235 paid, $8.9M.
Is Tybee Island at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Tybee Island’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tybee Island.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tybee Island’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.