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

Butts County Disaster Risk

Butts County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

21th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#109

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Butts County, Georgia

Butts ranks well below national average

Butts County's composite risk score of 20.52 is significantly below Georgia's 39.49 state average, placing it comfortably in the Very Low risk category. This county faces substantially lower natural disaster risks than most U.S. counties.

Among Georgia's safest counties

Butts ranks in the top tier of safer Georgia counties, well above the state average for protection from natural hazards. The county's Very Low rating makes it one of the more resilient areas in the state.

Butts among the safer counties regionally

With a score of 20.52, Butts is safer than neighbors like Carroll County (70.45) and comparable to Candler County (11.58). The county sits in a relatively protected zone compared to higher-risk areas in the state.

Tornado and earthquake risks modest but present

Butts County's tornado risk score of 44.88 and earthquake risk of 48.73 are moderate, not negligible. Flood risk at 32.09 suggests some wet-weather preparedness is warranted, particularly in lower-lying areas.

Basic coverage meets most needs here

Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind and hail damage, which should address Butts' moderate tornado risk. Consider adding earthquake coverage as an optional endorsement and review flood insurance if you're in a designated flood zone.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Butts County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    49th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    45th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Butts County

Risk Verdict

Butts County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 21th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Butts County's favorable 21th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Butts County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 49th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (45th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile), flood (32th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 49th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Butts County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Alongside earthquake exposure, Butts County's hurricane risk at the 48th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Butts County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Butts County falls 19.0 points below Georgia's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Butts 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 Butts County, GA?
Butts County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 21th 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 Butts County?
Butts County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (49th percentile), hurricane (48th percentile), tornado (45th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile), flooding (32th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 49th 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 Butts County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Butts County's composite risk percentile is 21th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Butts County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Butts County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Butts County's earthquake risk is at the 49th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Butts County is at the 32th 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 Butts County a safe place to live?
Butts County's composite risk score of 21th 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 earthquake at the 49th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.