Barrow County Disaster Risk
Barrow County, Georgia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
46th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#63
of 159 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
58th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 48% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Barrow County, Georgia
Barrow faces above-average national risk
Barrow County scores 45.61 on the composite risk scale, rating relatively low but exceeding Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county experiences elevated exposure to tornado and earthquake hazards that push its overall vulnerability profile higher.
Barrow ranks in Georgia's higher-risk counties
At 45.61, Barrow ranks above the Georgia state average and in the upper-middle tier of risk among the state's 159 counties. Approximately one-third of Georgia communities face comparable or greater natural disaster exposure.
Riskier than Banks, safer than Bartow
Barrow's 45.61 score places it between safer neighbors like Banks (12.40) and higher-risk Bartow (65.27). The county faces notably higher exposure than Banks but somewhat less than Bartow's more volatile hazard mix.
Tornado and flood are primary threats
Barrow's highest risk score is tornado exposure at 66.38, substantially above state and national averages and representing the county's dominant hazard. Flood risk follows at 58.08; these two hazards drive Barrow's elevated composite score more than any other factors.
Tornado sheltering and flood coverage are critical
Barrow residents should ensure homeowners policies include wind and hail coverage to address the 66.38 tornado risk. Flood insurance is essential; at 58.08, Barrow faces substantially elevated flood exposure warranting separate coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program or private providers.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Barrow County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Barrow County
Risk Verdict
Barrow County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 46th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Even at the 46th percentile, Barrow County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Barrow County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (58th percentile), hurricane (48th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado risk is Barrow County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 66th percentile nationally. For Barrow County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Barrow County at the 66th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Barrow County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.
Regional Context
Barrow County's composite risk score sits 6.1 points above the Georgia county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Barrow County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Barrow County, GA?
What types of natural hazards affect Barrow County?
How does Barrow County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Is Barrow County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Barrow 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.