Burke County Disaster Risk
Burke County, Georgia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
37th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#78
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 60% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 81% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Burke County, Georgia
Burke ranks below average nationwide
Burke County's composite risk score of 37.31 places it in the Very Low category, slightly below Georgia's 39.49 state average. This means Burke residents face lower-than-typical natural disaster risks compared to the typical American county.
Middle-of-the-road risk in Georgia
Among Georgia's 159 counties, Burke ranks in the safer half for overall natural disaster risk. The county's Very Low rating reflects relatively moderate exposure across most hazard types.
Burke safer than some county neighbors
Burke's score of 37.31 falls between nearby Candler County (11.58, much safer) and Camden County (54.55, higher risk). Burke is notably safer than state standouts like Carroll County (70.45).
Earthquakes and hurricanes pose concern
Burke's earthquake risk score of 75.92 and hurricane risk of 81.14 are notably elevated, even though they're less frequent here than coastal storms. Tornado risk at 58.62 is moderate but warrants attention during severe weather season.
Prioritize hurricane and earthquake coverage
Burke homeowners should verify their insurance covers earthquake damage, which standard policies typically exclude. Adding flood and wind coverage becomes critical given the county's elevated hurricane and earthquake exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Burke County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Burke County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Burke County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 37th percentile. Even at the 37th percentile, Burke County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Burke County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (60th percentile), tornado (59th percentile), flood (31th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 81th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Burke 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. Burke County's earthquake exposure at the 76th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For Burke 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
Burke County's composite risk score is within 2.2 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 Burke County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Burke County, GA?
What types of natural hazards affect Burke County?
How does Burke County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Is Burke County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Burke County a safe place to live?
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.