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Every federal disaster in Savannah since 1953

Each square is a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or FEMA that covered Chatham County. Declarations make federal aid available after hurricanes, floods, storms, fires and other events, so this is a record of the big ones.

Declarations
25since 1953
Major disasters
14the most serious kind
Since 2000
13declarations
Most recent
2024Hurricane Helene
19531954196019611963196419641970197719771980199019931994199819992000200520102016201620172017201820192020202020202024202420242024
Hurricanes and tropical storms (13)Severe storms and tornadoes (4)Floods (3)Winter storms (2)Biological (COVID-19) (2)Other (1)

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Chatham County's overall natural hazard risk relatively high, led by hurricane, coastal flooding and lightning. The history above shows what has actually happened; the risk index estimates what is likely.

All declarations

DeclaredEventTypeFEMA number
Sep 30, 2024Hurricane HeleneMajor disasterDR-4830
Sep 26, 2024Hurricane HeleneEmergencyEM-3616
Sep 24, 2024Tropical Storm DebbyMajor disasterDR-4821
Aug 5, 2024Hurricane DebbyEmergencyEM-3607
Mar 29, 2020COVID-19 PandemicMajor disasterDR-4501
Mar 13, 2020COVID-19EmergencyEM-3464
Sep 1, 2019Hurricane DorianEmergencyEM-3422
Oct 10, 2018Hurricane MichaelEmergencyEM-3406
Sep 15, 2017Hurricane IrmaMajor disasterDR-4338
Sep 8, 2017Hurricane IrmaEmergencyEM-3387
Oct 8, 2016Hurricane MatthewMajor disasterDR-4284
Oct 6, 2016Hurricane MatthewEmergencyEM-3379
Sep 5, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergencyEM-3218
Sep 14, 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency DeclarationsEmergencyEM-3144
Mar 11, 1998Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-1209
Oct 19, 1994Heavy Rains, Tornados, Flooding, High WindsMajor disasterDR-1042
Mar 15, 1993Severe Snowfall, Winter StormEmergencyEM-3097
Jul 20, 1977DroughtEmergencyEM-3044
Jun 2, 1977Shrimp Loss Due to Cold WeatherMajor disasterDR-536
Nov 4, 1964FloodingMajor disasterDR-180
Sep 10, 1964Hurricane DoraMajor disasterDR-177
Mar 26, 1963Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disasterDR-150
Mar 2, 1961FloodsMajor disasterDR-110
Mar 17, 1954TornadoMajor disasterDR-16
May 2, 1953TornadoMajor disasterDR-1

Frequently asked questions

How many federal disasters has Savannah had?

Since 1953, the federal government has issued 25 disaster or emergency declarations covering Chatham County, including 14 major disaster declarations. 13 of them came in 2000 or later.

What was the most recent federal disaster in Savannah?

Hurricane Helene (Major disaster, declared September 30, 2024).

What kinds of disasters hit Savannah most often?

By FEMA incident type: hurricane (10), flood (3), tropical storm (3) and tornado (2).

New to Savannah? The city profile covers flood maps and emergency alerts, and the risk summary shows FEMA's hazard ratings.

Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), downloaded October 18, 2026. We list declarations that named Chatham County, plus early statewide declarations from before FEMA designated individual counties. "Major disaster" declarations bring the widest federal aid; "emergency" declarations cover shorter-term help; "fire management" declarations help pay to fight large wildfires.