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

Bacon County Disaster Risk

Bacon County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

21th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#108

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bacon County, Georgia

Bacon sits in the low-risk national range

Bacon County's composite score of 20.58 places it firmly in the very low risk category, nearly half Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county faces significantly less natural disaster exposure than most American communities.

Bacon ranks among Georgia's safer counties

At 20.58, Bacon County places well below the state average and in the lower third of Georgia's 159 counties by risk. This favorable standing reflects relatively robust natural disaster resilience compared to most of the state.

Lower risk than Appling, comparable to Baker

Bacon's 20.58 score is substantially safer than nearby Appling (50.22) while comparing favorably to Baker County (9.76). Within its region, Bacon represents a middle ground—safer than northern neighbors but with slightly elevated risk from specific hazards.

Wildfire and hurricane are dual concerns

Wildfire risk dominates Bacon's profile at 56.58, followed by hurricane exposure at 84.36—both substantially above the county's otherwise low baseline. Tornado risk remains moderate at 37.53, requiring some seasonal preparedness but remaining below state averages.

Hurricane coverage essential despite low overall risk

Even with Bacon's favorable overall risk profile, the 84.36 hurricane score demands strong wind and hurricane coverage in your homeowners policy. Bundle flood insurance separately; wildfire risk at 56.58 means considering whether defensible space around your home is adequate.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bacon County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    50th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Bacon County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Bacon County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 21th percentile. A 21th percentile score positions Bacon County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Bacon County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (50th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), flood (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 84th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Bacon County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 57th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Bacon County independent of hurricane season. For Bacon County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Bacon County is 18.9 composite risk points below the Georgia state mean, meaning most other Georgia counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Bacon 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 Bacon County, GA?
Bacon County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 21th 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 Bacon County?
Bacon County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (84th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), flooding (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 84th 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 Bacon County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Bacon County's composite risk percentile is 21th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Bacon County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Bacon County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Bacon County's hurricane risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bacon County is at the 15th 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 Bacon County a safe place to live?
Bacon County's composite risk score of 21th 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 84th 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.