Ben Hill County Disaster Risk
Ben Hill County, Georgia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
25th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#97
of 159 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
23th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 23% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 42% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Ben Hill County, Georgia
Ben Hill's disaster risk: well below average
Ben Hill County scores 25.41 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating—significantly safer than the U.S. average of roughly 50. This county faces lower overall exposure to natural hazards compared to most American communities.
Among Georgia's safest counties
Ben Hill ranks among Georgia's lowest-risk counties with a composite score of 25.41, well below the state average of 39.49. Only a small share of Georgia counties maintain this level of natural disaster resilience.
Safer than nearby counties
Ben Hill's 25.41 score edges out Bleckley County (25.67) and substantially undercuts Berrien County (39.31) and Brooks County (42.11). This positions Ben Hill as one of the more protected rural communities in south-central Georgia.
Hurricanes and tornadoes pose greatest threats
Ben Hill's hurricane risk score of 77.22 and tornado risk of 64.66 represent its most significant natural hazard exposures, though both remain below state averages for these hazards. Flooding risk is comparatively modest at 23.25, reflecting the county's terrain and drainage patterns.
Ensure coverage for wind and severe storms
While Ben Hill's overall risk is low, homeowners should prioritize wind and hail coverage given tornado and hurricane threat levels. Standard homeowners policies typically cover tornado damage, but review your deductibles and ensure you're adequately protected for severe weather events.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Ben Hill County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Ben Hill County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Ben Hill County ranks at the 25th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 25th percentile, Ben Hill County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Ben Hill County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (59th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), flood (23th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 77th percentile nationally, Ben Hill County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 65th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Ben Hill County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Ben Hill County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
At 14.1 points below the Georgia state average, Ben Hill County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Ben Hill County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Ben Hill County, GA?
What types of natural hazards affect Ben Hill County?
How does Ben Hill County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Is Ben Hill County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Ben Hill County a safe place to live?
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.