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

Brantley County Disaster Risk

Brantley County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

18th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#114

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

20th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Brantley County, Georgia

Brantley sits at nation's safest extreme

Brantley County scores just 18.29 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the lowest-risk counties nationally with a Very Low rating. This coastal-plain community experiences minimal exposure to the full spectrum of natural hazards.

Georgia's safest county by far

Brantley's 18.29 score represents Georgia's lowest composite risk—substantially below the state average of 39.49. No other major Georgia county matches Brantley's level of natural disaster protection.

Notably safer than surrounding counties

Brantley (18.29) substantially outperforms Berrien County (39.31) and Brooks County (42.11) in the same region. Even nearby Bleckley (25.67) and Ben Hill (25.41) counties face higher composite risk than Brantley.

Wildfire poses the highest concern

Brantley's wildfire risk of 67.78 is its most significant hazard exposure, though still below state wildfire averages. All other hazards—flooding (20.20), tornadoes (30.66), and earthquakes (41.67)—score exceptionally low.

Basic homeowners insurance generally adequate

Brantley's low overall risk profile means most residents can rely on standard homeowners policies with conventional wind and hail coverage. Property owners in heavily forested areas may want to verify wildfire-related coverage is included, but specialized disaster insurance is not critically urgent for most of the county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Brantley County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    83th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    68th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    42th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Brantley County

Risk Verdict

Brantley County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 18th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 18th percentile score positions Brantley County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Brantley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (42th percentile), tornado (31th percentile), flood (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Brantley County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 83th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Wildfire at the 68th percentile nationally is Brantley County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Brantley County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Georgia county average, Brantley County's composite score runs 21.2 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Brantley 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 Brantley County, GA?
Brantley County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 18th 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 Brantley County?
Brantley County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (83th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile), earthquake (42th percentile), tornado (31th percentile), flooding (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 83th 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 Brantley County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Brantley County's composite risk percentile is 18th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Brantley County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Brantley County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Brantley County's hurricane risk is at the 83th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Brantley County is at the 20th 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 Brantley County a safe place to live?
Brantley County's composite risk score of 18th 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 83th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pulaski County

Georgia

-0.1

Very Low

18th percentile

Monroe County

Georgia

+0.4

Very Low

19th percentile

Meriwether County

Georgia

+0.9

Very Low

19th 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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