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Waynesboro Commercial Historic DistrictPhoto: Blastoids · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Waynesboro · FEMA

FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Waynesboro than in 80% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waynesboro gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #78 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (22%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.

River and rain flooding 46%Hurricanes 22%Earthquakes 17%

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 80%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#78 of 264 in Georgia
Hazard risk
A−#78 of 264
in Georgia · lower than 80% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
46% of expected building damage
Flood claims
0
paid since 1978 · $0
Disasters paid out here
4
of 12 declared for Burke County
By hazard

What Waynesboro 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

46%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 3 years in the area

Hurricanes

22%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 7 years in the area

Earthquakes

17%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts

Tornadoes

9%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Ice storms Strong wind Hail Wildfire Lightning Winter storms Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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 Waynesboro’s grade

River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waynesboro, and Waynesboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 22% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Waynesboro sits
Waynesboro
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A− #78 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Waynesboro’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding46%Hurricanes22%Earthquakes17%Everything else16%

The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Waynesboro has less expected damage per building than 71% of Georgia towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Waynesboro: $1.2M 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 4,352 aid registrations from Waynesboro addresses (the town has 2,673 homes).
A small-area figure. Waynesboro covers 2 census tracts, combined by where 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 Waynesboro flood? No paid flood claims on record

FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Waynesboro. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.

of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

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

Insurance rates: Burke County.
Disasters

4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waynesboro

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

  1. 2024Hurricane Helene4,352 households applied for aid$6.1M aid approved$422K to the City of Waynesboro for repairs
  2. 2018Hurricane Michael$59K to the City of Waynesboro for repairs
  3. 2014Severe Winter Storm$373K to the City of Waynesboro for repairs
  4. 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes61 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in WaynesboroBurke County only

Burke 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.

Were you here?

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

Add to the Waynesboro archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Waynesboro 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 ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
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 Waynesboro

Is Waynesboro at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waynesboro has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #78 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Is Waynesboro 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 Burke County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Waynesboro?

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

By FEMA money that reached Waynesboro, Hurricane Helene (2024): 4,352 households applied for aid, $6.1M approved, and $422K to the City of Waynesboro for repairs.

Is Waynesboro at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Waynesboro’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waynesboro.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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