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

Berrien County Disaster Risk

Berrien County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#76

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

30th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Berrien County, Georgia

Berrien holds steady at average national risk

Berrien County's composite risk score of 39.31 places it at approximately the national average, with a Very Low overall rating. This county experiences moderate natural disaster exposure compared to the broader United States.

Right at Georgia's risk midpoint

Berrien's 39.31 score matches Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county faces neither exceptional nor minimal natural hazard exposure within Georgia's context.

More vulnerable than Ben Hill, safer than Brooks

Berrien (39.31) sits between Ben Hill County (25.41) to the west and Brooks County (42.11) to the south. Among south Georgia's comparable rural counties, Berrien represents a moderate-risk profile.

Hurricane exposure dominates the risk profile

Berrien's hurricane risk score of 86.65 is exceptionally high and represents the county's primary natural hazard concern—well above wildfire (53.66) and tornado (58.08) risks. This reflects Berrien's position in the coastal plain region susceptible to tropical systems.

Prioritize hurricane and wind insurance now

Berrien residents face significant hurricane risk and should verify that wind and hail coverage is included in their homeowners policy—many insurers exclude or limit these in high-risk zones. Review your deductibles carefully, as storm damage can escalate quickly along coastal Georgia pathways.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Berrien County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    54th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Berrien County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Berrien County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 39th percentile. Berrien County's 39th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Berrien County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (54th percentile), earthquake (43th percentile), flood (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 87th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Berrien County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Tornado at the 58th percentile nationally is Berrien County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For Berrien County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Berrien County's composite risk score is within 0.2 points of the Georgia county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Berrien 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 Berrien County, GA?
Berrien County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Berrien County?
Berrien County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (87th percentile), tornado (58th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile), earthquake (43th percentile), flooding (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane 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 Berrien County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Berrien County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Berrien County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Berrien County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Berrien County's hurricane risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Berrien County is at the 30th 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 Berrien County a safe place to live?
Berrien County's composite risk score of 39th 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 87th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Towns County

Georgia

+0.3

Very Low

40th percentile

Habersham County

Georgia

-0.4

Very Low

39th percentile

Emanuel County

Georgia

+0.5

Very Low

40th 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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