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

Baker County Disaster Risk

Baker County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#132

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Baker County, Georgia

Baker enjoys rare natural disaster safety

Baker County scores just 9.76 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low category and far below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This community faces substantially less exposure to major natural hazards than the typical American county.

Baker ranks among Georgia's most resilient counties

Baker's 9.76 score positions it in the bottom quartile of risk across Georgia's 159 counties. Few Georgia communities enjoy greater natural disaster resilience than Baker, reflecting its favorable geographic and climatic position.

Safest county in the surrounding region

Baker's 9.76 score beats nearby Atkinson (7.32) marginally and substantially outperforms Bacon (20.58) and Appling (50.22). The county benefits from geographic isolation from major hurricane corridors and relatively moderate exposure to other hazards.

Hurricane remains the primary exposure point

Baker's lone significant hazard is hurricane risk at 76.35, far exceeding all other threat categories in the county. Wildfire (30.60), tornado (26.72), and earthquake (17.21) risks all remain minimal, creating a narrow risk profile.

Focus coverage on hurricane winds and storms

Baker's exceptional safety means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate baseline protection; prioritize confirming strong hurricane and wind coverage given the 76.35 hurricane score. Flood insurance remains optional at your discretion, given the county's 13.07 flood risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Baker County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    31th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    27th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Baker County

Risk Verdict

Baker County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 10th percentile nationally. Being ranked at the 10th percentile nationally is an advantage for Baker County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Baker County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 31th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (27th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile), flood (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 76th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Baker County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Wildfire at the 31th percentile nationally is Baker County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Baker County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Baker County falls 29.7 points below Georgia's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Baker 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 Baker County, GA?
Baker County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Baker County?
Baker County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (76th percentile), wildfire (31th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile), flooding (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 76th 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 Baker County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Baker County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Baker County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Baker County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Baker County's hurricane risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Baker County is at the 13th 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 Baker County a safe place to live?
Baker County's composite risk score of 10th 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 76th 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.