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

Calhoun County Disaster Risk

Calhoun County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

16th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#121

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

8th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Calhoun County, Georgia

Calhoun sits well below national standards

Calhoun County's composite risk score of 16.32 is less than half Georgia's 39.49 average, placing it in the Very Low category. The county ranks among the safest jurisdictions for natural disaster exposure in the nation.

Georgia's safer side of the map

Calhoun is among Georgia's lowest-risk counties overall, with a score well below the state average. The county enjoys unusually strong protection against most major natural hazards.

Calhoun among the region's safest

At 16.32, Calhoun rivals Candler County (11.58) as one of the area's most protected counties. The contrast is stark when compared to higher-risk neighbors like Carroll County (70.45) and Catoosa County (64.63).

Hurricane is the primary hazard here

Calhoun's hurricane risk score of 78.72 stands out as notably elevated compared to its other hazard scores. Tornado risk at 43.00 and wildfire risk at 29.33 remain secondary concerns.

Hurricane coverage is essential

Calhoun residents should prioritize comprehensive wind and hurricane coverage, especially if they own older homes with vulnerable roofing. Standard homeowners insurance covers basic wind damage, but specialized hurricane coverage may offer broader protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Calhoun County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    32th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Calhoun County

Risk Verdict

Calhoun County's overall natural disaster score at the 16th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 16th percentile, Calhoun County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Calhoun County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (32th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile), flood (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 79th percentile nationally makes Calhoun County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Calhoun County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Tornado at the 43th percentile nationally is Calhoun County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Calhoun County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Calhoun County's composite risk score sits 23.2 points below the Georgia county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Calhoun 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 Calhoun County, GA?
Calhoun County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 16th 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 Calhoun County?
Calhoun County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (79th percentile), tornado (43th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile), flooding (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 79th 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 Calhoun County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Calhoun County's composite risk percentile is 16th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Calhoun County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Calhoun County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Calhoun County's hurricane risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Calhoun County is at the 8th 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 Calhoun County a safe place to live?
Calhoun County's composite risk score of 16th 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 79th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Jones County

Georgia

+0.1

Very Low

16th percentile

Terrell County

Georgia

+0.2

Very Low

17th percentile

Turner County

Georgia

+0.3

Very Low

17th 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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