Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Savannah’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Savannah gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #61 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Savannah 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Savannah’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Savannah, and Savannah’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 28%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #61 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Savannah’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Savannah has less expected damage per building than 76% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Savannah: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Savannah flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Savannah, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Savannah isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Andrew County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Savannah
Disasters that paid out in Savannah itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Savannah), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding68 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2011Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$98K to the City of Savannah for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Andrew County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Savannah after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Savannah archive →Get ready for what Savannah 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.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Savannah
Is Savannah at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Savannah has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #61 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Savannah flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Savannah since 2010, $8K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Savannah 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 Andrew County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Savannah?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Savannah’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 Savannah?
By FEMA money that reached Savannah, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $98K to the City of Savannah for repairs.
Is Savannah at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Savannah’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Savannah.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Savannah’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.