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

Bibb County Disaster Risk

Bibb County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

78th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

80th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bibb County, Georgia

Bibb faces significantly elevated disaster risk

Bibb County scores 78.50 on the composite risk scale, nearly double the national average and well above typical American counties. This Relatively Low rating masks above-average exposure to multiple hazard types simultaneously.

Among Georgia's highest-risk counties

Bibb's 78.50 composite score ranks it in the upper tier of Georgia counties, far exceeding the state average of 39.49. Only a handful of Georgia counties face comparably complex natural disaster profiles.

Bibb's risk outpaces nearby rural counties

Bibb (78.50) significantly exceeds Bleckley County (25.67) to the south and approaches Bulloch County (75.41) to the east. Bibb's urban center in Macon concentrates infrastructure and population in a relatively high-risk zone.

Tornadoes, flooding, and wildfire threaten daily

Bibb's tornado risk (87.66), flood risk (80.44), and wildfire risk (73.03) all exceed state averages, creating a compound hazard environment. The county's central Georgia location and Ocmulgee River proximity amplify both severe weather and water-related threats.

Flood and wind coverage are essential

Bibb County residents must obtain separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Additionally, verify tornado and severe wind coverage is active on your policy, as Bibb's tornado risk substantially exceeds most Georgia communities.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bibb County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    82th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    80th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Bibb County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 78th, Bibb County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Bibb County residents should plan accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Bibb County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (80th percentile), earthquake (77th percentile), wildfire (73th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 88th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Bibb County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Alongside tornado exposure, hurricane at the 82th percentile nationally means Bibb County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Bibb County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

At 39.0 points above the Georgia state average, Bibb County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Georgia county.

Is your household prepared for Bibb 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 Bibb County, GA?
Bibb County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 78th 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 Bibb County?
Bibb County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (88th percentile), hurricane (82th percentile), flooding (80th percentile), earthquake (77th percentile), wildfire (73th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 88th 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 Bibb County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Bibb County's composite risk percentile is 78th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Bibb County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Bibb County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Bibb County's tornado risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bibb County is at the 80th 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 Bibb County higher risk than average?
Bibb County's composite risk score of 78th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (88th percentile), along with hurricane and flooding and earthquake and wildfire 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.