Photo: Augustaky · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Augusta than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Augusta gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 101 claims here since 1978.
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 Augusta’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Augusta 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
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 Augusta’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Augusta, and Augusta’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Augusta’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Augusta: $848K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Augusta flood? Yes: 101 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Augusta, from FEMA’s records: 139.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding4 claims · $40K
Augusta is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bracken County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Augusta
Disasters that paid out in Augusta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Augusta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$13K to the City of Augusta for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$6K to the City of Augusta for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and$8K to the City of Augusta for repairs
Bracken County has had 14 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 Augusta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Augusta archive →Augusta and its neighbors
Augusta is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Augusta | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
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.
Get ready for what Augusta 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.
- 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.
- Augusta residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Augusta
Is Augusta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Augusta has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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.
Does Augusta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 101 claims in Augusta since 1978, $1.9M in all, or 139.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (4).
Is Augusta 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 Bracken County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Augusta?
Augusta is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Augusta?
By FEMA money that reached Augusta, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): $13K to the City of Augusta for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 4 paid, $40K.
Is Augusta at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Augusta’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Augusta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Augusta’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.