Dr. Charles M. Wright House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Altamont than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Altamont gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (26%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Altamont 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
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 Altamont’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Altamont, and Altamont’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 26% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Altamont’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Altamont: $801K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Altamont flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Altamont. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Altamont isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Effingham County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Altamont
Disasters that paid out in Altamont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Altamont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the City of Altamont for repairs
Effingham County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Altamont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Altamont archive →Get ready for what Altamont faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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 Altamont
Is Altamont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Altamont has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (26%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Altamont 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 Effingham County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Altamont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Altamont’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 Altamont?
By FEMA money that reached Altamont, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $8K to the City of Altamont for repairs.
Is Altamont at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Altamont’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Altamont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Altamont’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.