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

Bryan County Disaster Risk

Bryan County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

67th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#32

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

64th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bryan County, Georgia

Bryan faces well-above-average disaster risk

Bryan County scores 66.63 on the composite risk scale, significantly exceeding the national average, though rated Relatively Low overall. This coastal-plain county experiences substantial multi-hazard exposure compared to typical American counties.

High-risk county in Georgia context

Bryan's 66.63 score substantially exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, ranking it among the state's more vulnerable counties. Only about 20–25% of Georgia counties face comparable or higher composite risk.

Bryan's risk dwarfs nearby rural counties

Bryan (66.63) significantly outpaces Brantley (18.29) and Berrien (39.31) in the same coastal region, approaching Bulloch County (75.41) to the north. Bryan's location near the Georgia coast and major highways concentrates risk.

Hurricane and wildfire pose primary threats

Bryan's hurricane risk (93.87) is among Georgia's highest, and wildfire risk (79.99) substantially exceeds state averages. Flood risk (63.80) and earthquake risk (63.23) add additional layers of concern, while tornado risk remains comparatively lower at 40.65.

Comprehensive hurricane and flood coverage essential

Bryan County residents must obtain separate flood insurance immediately—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, and Bryan's elevated flood risk makes this critical. Verify your wind and hail coverage covers potential hurricane damage, and consider discussing additional riders for wildfire-prone properties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bryan County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    80th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    64th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Bryan County

Risk Verdict

Bryan County ranks at the 67th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Bryan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (64th percentile), earthquake (63th percentile), tornado (41th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Bryan County ranks at the 94th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 80th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Bryan County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Bryan County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

Compared to other Georgia counties, Bryan County runs 27.1 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Bryan 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 Bryan County, GA?
Bryan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 67th 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 Bryan County?
Bryan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (94th percentile), wildfire (80th percentile), flooding (64th percentile), earthquake (63th percentile), tornado (41th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 94th 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 Bryan County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Bryan County's composite risk percentile is 67th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Bryan County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Bryan County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Bryan County's hurricane risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bryan County is at the 64th 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 Bryan County higher risk than average?
Bryan County's composite risk score of 67th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (94th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and earthquake 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.