Under Ten Feet Above the River
St. Marys sits on the north bank of the St. Marys River, the boundary between Georgia and Florida, at an elevation of only about 9.8 feet. Cumberland Island National Seashore lies to the northeast across Cumberland Sound, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay borders the city on the west, and tidal marsh wraps around much of town. The city's founders were even granted marsh lots when St. Marys was chartered in 1787.
With so little elevation, several kinds of water can reach a St. Marys property:
- Storm surge and storm tide pushed up the river and sound by tropical systems.
- Heavy rain, which averages close to 49 inches a year, with September the wettest month at nearly 7 inches.
- Wind-driven rain and fallen trees that open roofs during storms.
- Plumbing failures such as supply lines, water heaters and appliance hoses.
The City's floodplain program describes Special Flood Hazard Areas in A, AE, V and VE zones, where the base flood is expected to reach.
What Irma and Nicole Left Behind in Camden County
Camden County's storm history reaches back to the 1898 hurricane that came ashore on Cumberland Island, still the strongest to strike Georgia in recorded history. More recent storms offer practical lessons.
During Hurricane Irma in 2017, the National Weather Service reported that dozens of people in Camden County were rescued by boat because of storm surge and rainfall flooding. Trees and power lines came down near St. Marys, and a local marina was heavily damaged, along with its docks, piers and boats. During Matthew the year before, a fallen tree and power line blocked Point Peter Road at the North River Causeway.
In 2022, Hurricane Nicole pushed a storm tide of about 4.4 feet above NAVD88 at Kings Bay, according to the National Hurricane Center. Surge water that reaches a home should be treated as contaminated, and flood cleanup in St. Marys typically starts with removing soaked materials before drying begins.
Historic Waterfront Buildings and Base Housing
The St. Marys Historic District covers the downtown waterfront and Oak Grove Cemetery, established in 1787. Older buildings near the river can have raised floors, crawlspaces and original wood finishes that hold moisture, so ask the restoration company to check under the floor as well as inside the walls.
Kings Bay, home port for Ohio-class submarines, employs more than 9,000 military and civilian personnel, and many families rent and relocate on military schedules. If you rent, report leaks to your landlord or property manager in writing and photograph the damage. In most leases the landlord handles structural repairs, and your own renter's coverage, if you carry it, is what protects furniture, clothing and electronics.
Inns, restaurants, shops and ferry-area businesses on the waterfront can call (888) 817-5061 to be connected with local providers who handle commercial water damage repair in St. Marys.
Immediate Steps When Water Comes Into Your Home
- Wait until it is safe. If surge or floodwater is still in the street, stay out. Check Georgia DOT 511 and local officials for road and evacuation updates.
- Shut off water and power safely. Close the main valve for a plumbing failure. Do not touch breakers or appliances while standing in water.
- Sort out the source. Supply-line water is Category 1. River, marsh or surge water is Category 3 and should be handled with protective gear by professionals.
- Photograph everything, including the high-water line on walls, before you start cleaning.
- Move valuables up and out of wet rooms, and set furniture on blocks.
- Bring in help. Once it is safe, phone (888) 817-5061 and we will connect you with a nearby restoration company that handles emergency water removal.
Drying Out a Coastal Home, Stage by Stage
Water removal and cleanup
Crews extract standing water, then remove materials that floodwater has contaminated, such as carpet pad, insulation and the lower section of drywall. Surfaces are cleaned and sanitized.
Measuring moisture
Moisture meters and thermal cameras show where water moved under floors, into wall cavities and, in older homes, into the crawlspace.
Controlled drying
Dehumidifiers and air movers run until readings show materials are dry. In this humid climate, dehumidification is essential. See structural drying for details.
Rebuilding
With everything dry, reconstruction can begin. Verify a contractor's Georgia license at verify.sos.ga.gov, and ask about insurance and training such as IICRC certification before you sign.
Moisture, Mold and What to Ask a Remediator
Per EPA guidance, mold may start to develop on wet materials in 24 to 48 hours. In St. Marys, a home left closed during an evacuation, or without power after a storm, can stay damp long enough for growth to start behind walls and under flooring.
Georgia does not appear to license mold assessors or remediators specifically, according to an industry roundup of state requirements; we did not find an official state statement confirming this. Before hiring anyone for mold cleanup in St. Marys, ask about IICRC or similar certifications, how the work area will be contained, and for written moisture readings before and after. Learn more about mold removal.
Flood Insurance Savings and Zone Lookups in St. Marys
- CRS discount. St. Marys holds a Class 6 rating in FEMA's Community Rating System, which gives policyholders in Special Flood Hazard Areas a 20 percent premium reduction, up from 15 percent under its earlier Class 7 rating.
- Flood is not in a standard policy. Homeowners and renter's policies generally exclude flood. That coverage comes from an NFIP or private flood policy, and a new NFIP policy generally needs 30 days before it takes effect.
- Check your risk. The City points residents to the Georgia Flood & Sea Level Rise app and the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, and Community Development can provide flood risk information for a property. Details are on the City's floodplain management page.
- Stay alerted. Sign up for CodeRED notifications through the City.
Keep photos, receipts and drying reports for your claim. WaterQ cannot promise an insurance outcome, but complete records make the process easier.
St. Marys Areas and Nearby Camden County Communities
WaterQ's free referral line connects callers in St. Marys, the Kings Bay area and across Camden County with independent local restoration providers.
Neighborhoods
- St. Marys Historic District (downtown waterfront)
- Oak Grove Cemetery area
- Point Peter Road / North River Causeway area
- Crooked River area
Nearby communities
St. Marys Water Damage FAQ
How low is St. Marys, and why does that matter for flooding?
The city sits at about 9.8 feet above sea level on the St. Marys River, with marsh around much of town. Low elevation means storm surge, storm tide and heavy rain can reach properties more easily than in higher inland towns.
Does St. Marys offer a flood insurance discount?
Yes. St. Marys holds a Class 6 rating in FEMA's Community Rating System, which provides a 20 percent premium reduction for policyholders in Special Flood Hazard Areas.
What happened in St. Marys during Hurricane Irma?
The National Weather Service reported trees and power lines down near St. Marys, heavy damage at a local marina, and dozens of people rescued by boat in Camden County because of surge and rainfall flooding.
Do mold remediators need a Georgia state license?
An industry roundup indicates Georgia has no state license specifically for mold remediators, though we did not find an official state statement confirming it. Ask for certifications such as IICRC and written moisture readings.
How does WaterQ work?
WaterQ is a free referral service. When you call, we connect you with an independent, local restoration company that inspects the damage and does the work. The line is available 24/7.
Local emergency and flood resources
Official sources for alerts, flood maps and preparedness in and around St. Marys: