Natural Disasters in Waycross, GA

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

49.4

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

42.5

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

78.1

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

81.2

Score (0-100)

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster History & Federal Spending

Source: FEMA

Total Declarations

24

Public Assistance

$13.1M

Individual Assistance

$14.8M

Most Common Type

Hurricane

9 declarations

DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Hurricane HeleneHurricaneSep 2024$10.5M$12.9M
Hurricane HeleneTropical StormSep 2024
Tropical Storm DebbyTropical StormSep 2024$608K
Hurricane DebbyTropical StormAug 2024
Hurricane IdaliaHurricaneSep 2023$677K
Covid-19 PandemicBiologicalMar 2020$1.5M
Covid-19 BiologicalMar 2020
Hurricane MichaelHurricaneOct 2018
Hurricane IrmaHurricaneSep 2017$259K
Hurricane IrmaHurricaneSep 2017
West Mims FireFireMay 2017
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and FloodingTornadoJan 2017$104K
Hurricane MatthewHurricaneOct 2016$139K
Hurricane MatthewHurricaneOct 2016
Sweat Farm Again FireFireJun 2011
Racepond WildfireFireJun 2011
Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line WindsSevere StormApr 2009$208K$450K
Sweat Farm Road FireFireApr 2007
Hurricane Katrina EvacuationHurricaneSep 2005
Tropical Storm FrancesHurricaneSep 2004$640K

Showing 20 of 24 disasters

PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

44

Total Claims Paid

$286,599

Avg Claim Payout

$6,514

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

3

Federal Funding

$53,944

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

0.00

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan2$29,762
91.3: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE1$24,182

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Waycross has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, wildfire, earthquake. The area has had 24 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (9 declarations). 44 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $13,139,992 in public assistance recovery funding. $14,838,412 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 3 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.