riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Atkinson County Disaster Risk

Atkinson County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

7th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#143

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

8th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Atkinson County, Georgia

Atkinson is among the safest in the nation

With a composite risk score of just 7.32, Atkinson County ranks in the very low category and sits well below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This county faces substantially less natural disaster exposure than typical U.S. communities.

Atkinson ranks among Georgia's safest counties

Atkinson's score of 7.32 places it in the bottom quartile for risk across Georgia's 159 counties. Few counties in the state enjoy lower composite risk than Atkinson, making it one of Georgia's most naturally resilient areas.

Safest county in its region by far

At 7.32, Atkinson significantly outperforms nearby Bacon (20.58) and Baker (9.76) counties in overall risk resilience. This relative safety extends across most hazard categories, giving residents substantially lower exposure than adjacent communities.

Hurricane risk requires disproportionate attention

Despite Atkinson's overall safety, hurricane risk scores 78.10—far exceeding all other hazards and representing the county's most significant vulnerability. Wildfire and tornado risks remain well below state averages at 43.42 and 28.75 respectively.

Hurricane coverage is your essential protection

Atkinson's exceptionally low risk profile means basic homeowners insurance typically suffices, but residents must ensure hurricane and wind coverage given the 78.10 hurricane score. Standard policies often exclude these coastal weather impacts, so verify your coverage now.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Atkinson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    35th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Atkinson County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Atkinson County ranks at the 7th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Residents of Atkinson County can use the 7th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Atkinson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (35th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), flood (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 78th percentile nationally, Atkinson County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Atkinson County's wildfire exposure at the 43th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Atkinson County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 32.2 points below the Georgia state average, Atkinson County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Atkinson County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Atkinson County, GA?
Atkinson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 7th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Atkinson County?
Atkinson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (78th percentile), wildfire (43th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), flooding (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 78th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Atkinson County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Atkinson County's composite risk percentile is 7th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Atkinson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Atkinson County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Atkinson County's hurricane risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Atkinson County is at the 8th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Atkinson County a safe place to live?
Atkinson County's composite risk score of 7th percentile is below the Georgia state average of 40th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 78th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.