Brooks County Disaster Risk
Brooks County, Georgia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
42th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#71
of 159 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
31th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 35% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Brooks County, Georgia
Brooks risk moderately exceeds national norm
Brooks County's composite risk score of 42.11 slightly exceeds the national average, with a Very Low overall rating. The county faces somewhat above-typical natural disaster exposure compared to U.S. communities broadly.
Above-average risk within Georgia
Brooks scores 42.11, modestly exceeding Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it in the upper half of Georgia's risk distribution. The county represents a transition zone between Georgia's safest and more vulnerable areas.
Riskier than Ben Hill, comparable to Berrien
Brooks (42.11) ranks higher than Ben Hill (25.41) and Bleckley (25.67) but closely mirrors Berrien County (39.31). This positions Brooks as a moderate-risk county in south Georgia's rural landscape.
Hurricane and tornado exposure tops the list
Brooks faces significant hurricane risk (86.02) and elevated tornado risk (58.56), which together dominate its hazard profile. Wildfire risk (56.36) also exceeds state averages, while earthquake and flood risks remain comparatively modest.
Wind and storm coverage must be current
Brooks residents should ensure their homeowners insurance includes comprehensive wind and hail coverage given the county's elevated hurricane and tornado exposure. Review your policy annually and consider a higher coverage limit if you live in a storm-prone area of the county.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Brooks County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Brooks County
Risk Verdict
Brooks County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 42th percentile nationally. Being ranked at the 42th percentile nationally is an advantage for Brooks County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Brooks County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (56th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), flood (31th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane risk is Brooks County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 86th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Brooks County's tornado exposure at the 59th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Brooks County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.
Regional Context
At just 2.6 composite points from the Georgia average, Brooks County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Brooks County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Brooks County, GA?
What types of natural hazards affect Brooks County?
How does Brooks County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Is Brooks County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Brooks County higher risk than average?
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.