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

Candler County Disaster Risk

Candler County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

12th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#129

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

12th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Candler County, Georgia

Candler among America's safest counties

Candler County's composite risk score of 11.58 is less than one-third of Georgia's 39.49 state average, placing it in the Very Low category. The county ranks among the most protected jurisdictions in the nation from natural disasters.

Georgia's lowest-risk county tier

Candler stands near the very bottom of Georgia's risk rankings, enjoying exceptional protection across most natural hazard categories. The county represents one of the state's safest places to live regarding disaster exposure.

Candler leads the safety rankings locally

At 11.58, Candler is the safest county in this regional grouping, followed by Calhoun (16.32) and Charlton (26.72). The contrast grows starker when compared to higher-risk neighbors like Carroll County (70.45).

Hurricane and earthquake are secondary concerns

Candler's hurricane risk of 78.35 and earthquake risk of 53.12 represent its highest hazard exposures. Tornado risk at 32.82 and flood risk at 12.44 remain well below state and national benchmarks.

Standard insurance typically sufficient

Candler homeowners can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most protection needs, with basic wind and hail coverage addressing the county's low tornado risk. Consider optional earthquake coverage as a low-cost addition if desired.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Candler County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    35th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Candler County

Risk Verdict

At the 12th percentile nationally, Candler County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Residents of Candler County can use the 12th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Candler County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (35th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), flood (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Candler County ranks at the 78th 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. Earthquake at the 53th percentile nationally is Candler County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Candler 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

A composite score 27.9 points below the Georgia state average puts Candler County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Candler 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 Candler County, GA?
Candler County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 12th 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 Candler County?
Candler County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (78th percentile), earthquake (53th percentile), wildfire (35th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), flooding (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 78th 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 Candler County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Candler County's composite risk percentile is 12th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Candler County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Candler County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Candler County's hurricane risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Candler County is at the 12th 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 Candler County a safe place to live?
Candler County's composite risk score of 12th 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 78th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hancock County

Georgia

+0.3

Very Low

12th percentile

Banks County

Georgia

+0.8

Very Low

12th percentile

Jenkins County

Georgia

-0.8

Very Low

11th 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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