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First African Baptist Church and ParsonageFirst African Baptist Church and Parsonage · Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0
BHazard risk
Natural hazards in Waycross · FEMA

FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Waycross as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waycross gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #171 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1979.

River and rain flooding 47%Hurricanes 42%Tornadoes 4%

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

less than 59%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#171 of 264 in Georgia
Hazard risk
B#171 of 264
in Georgia · lower than 59% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
47% of expected building damage
Flood claims
22
paid since 1979 · $233K
Flooded more than once
4
properties
Disasters paid out here
6
of 13 declared for Ware County

What stands out about Waycross’ natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Made safer with FEMA grants1 building retrofitted against wind with FEMA grants.Remembers 20174 flood claims were paid for 2017 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Waycross faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

River and rain flooding

47%of expected building damage
Below average · lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 3 years in the area

Hurricanes

42%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 3 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Earthquakes Strong wind Wildfire Hail Lightning Winter storms Ice storms Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts tornadoes at 13% of Waycross’ expected losses. Tornadoes do little damage to buildings (4.4%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Waycross’ grade

River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waycross, and Waycross’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 42% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Waycross sits
Waycross
Least damageMiddleMost damage

B #171 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Waycross’ residents live in 10 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding47%Hurricanes42%Tornadoes4%Everything else7%

The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Waycross has more expected damage per building than 65% of Georgia towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Waycross: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Helene in 2024, FEMA took 9,671 aid registrations from Waycross addresses (the town has 7,158 homes).
A firm figure. It combines 10 census tracts by where Waycross’ residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Waycross flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1979

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waycross, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1979: 1 claim1980: 1 claim1981: 0 claims1982: 0 claims1983: 2 claims1984: 3 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 1 claim1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 1 claim2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 1 claim2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 1 claim2015: 1 claim2016: 0 claims2017: 4 claims2018: 2 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 1 claim2024: 3 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims198420172024
19792026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Irma4 claims · $53K
22
paid claims since 1979
$233K
paid to owners
4
homes flooded more than once
$11K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Waycross isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Ware County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
1building retrofitted against wind
Disasters

6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waycross

Disasters that paid out in Waycross itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waycross), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Hurricane Helene9,671 households applied for aid$9.2M aid approved$648K to the City of Waycross for repairs
  2. 2024Tropical Storm Debby$10K to the City of Waycross for repairs
  3. 2023Hurricane Idalia$118K to the City of Waycross for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  4. 2017Hurricane Irma$183K to the City of Waycross for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $53K
  5. 2016Hurricane Matthew$90K to the City of Waycross for repairs
  6. 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds26 households applied for aid$203K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in WaycrossWare County only

Ware 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ware County, 2007–2017.

Were you here?

Old photos of Waycross after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Waycross archive →
Next door

Waycross and its neighbors

Waycross has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Sunnyside: hazard risk B−Deenwood: hazard risk BSunnysideDeenwoodWaycross
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
WaycrossBless damage than 59%river and rain flooding22
DeenwoodBless damage than 58%river and rain flooding1
SunnysideB−less damage than 55%river and rain flooding9

Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.

Be ready

Get ready for what Waycross faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Waycross

Is Waycross at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waycross has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #171 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Waycross flood?

Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Waycross since 1979, $233K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (4).

Is Waycross 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 Ware County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Waycross?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waycross’ 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 Waycross?

By FEMA money that reached Waycross, Hurricane Helene (2024): 9,671 households applied for aid, $9.2M approved, and $648K to the City of Waycross for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 4 paid, $53K.

Is Waycross at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Waycross’ rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waycross.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waycross’ 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.