On FEMA’s figures, Savannah faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Savannah gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2014.
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
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 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Savannah, and Savannah’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Savannah’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $400K a year in losses across Savannah: $268K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Savannah flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Savannah, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% 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: Wayne County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Savannah
Disasters that paid out in Savannah itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Savannah), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Ice Storm16 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$17K to the Town of Savannah for repairs
- 1999Snow$7K to the Town of Savannah for repairs
Wayne County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
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 →Savannah and its neighbors
Savannah is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Savannah | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Galen | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Montezuma | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Conquest | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Tyre | — | not graded yet | |
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 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.
- 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 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). 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 Savannah flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Savannah since 2014, $15K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% 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 Wayne County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
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, Ice Storm (2003): 16 households applied for aid, $8K approved, and $17K to the Town 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 (91%), and Savannah’s rate for it is higher than 50% 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.