Appling County Disaster Risk
Appling County, Georgia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
50th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#59
of 159 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
24th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Appling County, Georgia
Appling's risk sits above the national average
Appling County scores 50.22 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low category but well above Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county faces higher-than-typical exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly hurricane and earthquake risks that elevate its overall profile.
Appling ranks in the upper half of Georgia counties
Among Georgia's 159 counties, Appling's composite risk score of 50.22 places it in the riskier half of the state. This reflects above-average vulnerability compared to most Georgia neighbors, driven primarily by coastal weather hazards.
More exposed than most surrounding counties
Appling faces notably higher risk than nearby Atkinson (7.32) and Bacon (20.58) counties. At 50.22, Appling's score is significantly elevated, making it one of the more vulnerable areas in its region despite sharing similar geography with lower-risk neighbors.
Hurricane and wildfire pose greatest threats
Hurricane risk dominates Appling's profile at 90.91, substantially higher than any other hazard type and reflecting vulnerability to tropical systems. Wildfire and earthquake risks round out the top concerns at 52.93 and 52.99 respectively, requiring year-round preparedness.
Prioritize hurricane and wind coverage now
Appling residents should ensure homeowners policies include hurricane and wind damage coverage, given the 90.91 hurricane risk score. Consider flood insurance as a separate policy since standard homeowners coverage typically excludes flood damage; the county's 24.05 flood risk warrants protection planning.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Appling County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Appling County
Risk Verdict
Appling County ranks at the 50th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Appling County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (53th percentile), tornado (46th percentile), flood (24th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Appling County ranks at the 91th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Earthquake at the 53th percentile nationally is Appling County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Appling County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.
Regional Context
Compared to other Georgia counties, Appling County runs 10.7 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Appling County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Appling County, GA?
What types of natural hazards affect Appling County?
How does Appling County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Is Appling County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Appling County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.