Photo: Ballinindasierra · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Savannah as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Savannah gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #98 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then earthquakes (39%). 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 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
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 Savannah’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Savannah, and Savannah’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 39% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #98 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Savannah’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Savannah has more expected damage per building than 55% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Savannah: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Savannah flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Savannah. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
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: Hardin County.8 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.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm290 households applied for aid$589K aid approved$965K to the City of Savannah for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes25 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$33K to the City of Savannah for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding12 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$61K to the City of Savannah for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes113 households applied for aid$191K aid approved$15K to the City of Savannah for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding126 households applied for aid$91K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$53K to the City of Savannah for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$26K to the City of Savannah for repairs
Hardin County has had 22 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 →Savannah and its neighbors
Savannah has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Olivet | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
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.
- 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 Savannah
Is Savannah at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Savannah has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #98 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and earthquakes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
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 Hardin County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% 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 Storm (2026): 290 households applied for aid, $589K approved, and $965K 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 (46%), and Savannah’s rate for it is lower than 68% 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.