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

Baldwin County Disaster Risk

Baldwin County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

50th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#60

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

63th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Baldwin County, Georgia

Baldwin faces above-average national risk

Baldwin County scores 50.03 on the composite risk scale, rating relatively low but sitting above Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county experiences elevated exposure across multiple hazard types, reflecting a more complex risk landscape than most U.S. counties.

Baldwin ranks in Georgia's higher-risk tier

Baldwin's 50.03 score places it well above the Georgia state average and in the upper half of risk among the state's 159 counties. Only a minority of Georgia communities face comparable cumulative natural disaster exposure.

More vulnerable than most adjacent counties

Baldwin's 50.03 score significantly exceeds typical neighbors, rivaling Appling (50.22) as one of the region's highest-risk areas. The county's multi-hazard exposure sets it apart from and above surrounding communities in overall vulnerability.

Wildfire, flood, and earthquake form triple threat

Baldwin faces elevated risk across three major categories: wildfire (66.92), flood (63.20), and earthquake (73.09), each among the county's highest scores. Tornado risk at 51.94 and hurricane exposure at 68.34 complete a diverse hazard portfolio requiring comprehensive preparedness.

Multi-hazard coverage essential for Baldwin residents

Baldwin residents must secure both standard homeowners insurance with wind coverage and separate flood insurance, given flood (63.20) and wildfire (66.92) risks. Review your earthquake coverage options as well; at 73.09, Baldwin faces substantial seismic exposure compared to most Georgia counties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Baldwin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    68th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    67th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Baldwin County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Baldwin County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 50th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Baldwin County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Baldwin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (67th percentile), flood (63th percentile), tornado (52th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 73th percentile nationally puts Baldwin County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. The county's hurricane risk at the 68th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Baldwin County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Baldwin County is 10.5 composite risk points above the Georgia average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Baldwin 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 Baldwin County, GA?
Baldwin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 50th 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 Baldwin County?
Baldwin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (73th percentile), hurricane (68th percentile), wildfire (67th percentile), flooding (63th percentile), tornado (52th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 73th 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 Baldwin County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Baldwin County's composite risk percentile is 50th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Baldwin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Baldwin County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Baldwin County's earthquake risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Baldwin County is at the 63th 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.
Why is Baldwin County higher risk than average?
Baldwin County's composite risk score of 50th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (73th percentile), along with hurricane and wildfire and flooding and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.