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

Bartow County Disaster Risk

Bartow County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

65th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#37

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

68th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bartow County, Georgia

Bartow faces the region's highest risk level

Bartow County scores 65.27 on the composite risk scale, rating relatively low but significantly exceeding Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county faces cumulative natural disaster exposure above 65% of U.S. communities, driven by multiple high-risk hazards.

Bartow ranks among Georgia's riskiest counties

At 65.27, Bartow places well above the Georgia state average and in the upper tier of risk among the state's 159 counties. Only the most hazard-exposed Georgia communities score higher, making Bartow one of the state's most vulnerable areas.

Riskiest county in its broader region

Bartow's 65.27 score substantially exceeds all nearby counties including Barrow (45.61), Banks (12.40), and most others in north Georgia. The county stands out as an elevated-risk area requiring heightened preparedness and insurance protection.

Tornado, flood, and earthquake drive high risk

Bartow's tornado risk of 87.05 ranks among Georgia's highest, followed by substantial flood (67.84) and earthquake (81.04) exposure. Wildfire at 62.18 and hurricane at 50.15 round out a diverse and significant multi-hazard profile.

Comprehensive multi-hazard insurance is essential

Bartow residents must prioritize wind and hail coverage in homeowners policies to address the 87.05 tornado risk and consider a safe room or shelter investment. Flood insurance is critical; at 67.84, Bartow's flood exposure demands separate NFIP or private coverage as a non-negotiable protection measure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bartow County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    81th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    68th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Bartow County

Risk Verdict

Bartow County ranks at the 65th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Bartow County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (68th percentile), wildfire (62th percentile), hurricane (50th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Bartow County ranks at the 87th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Bartow County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 81th percentile nationally means Bartow County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Bartow County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

Compared to other Georgia counties, Bartow County runs 25.8 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Bartow 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 Bartow County, GA?
Bartow County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 65th 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 Bartow County?
Bartow County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (87th percentile), earthquake (81th percentile), flooding (68th percentile), wildfire (62th percentile), hurricane (50th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 87th 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 Bartow County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Bartow County's composite risk percentile is 65th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Bartow County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Bartow County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Bartow County's tornado risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bartow County is at the 68th 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 Bartow County higher risk than average?
Bartow County's composite risk score of 65th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (87th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and wildfire and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Coweta County

Georgia

+0.3

Relatively Low

66th percentile

Douglas County

Georgia

+0.4

Relatively Low

66th percentile

Catoosa County

Georgia

-0.6

Relatively Low

65th percentile

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.

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