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

Carroll County Disaster Risk

Carroll County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

70th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

71th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Carroll County, Georgia

Carroll faces elevated national risk

Carroll County's composite risk score of 70.45 is well above Georgia's 39.49 state average, placing it in the Relatively Low category but with significantly elevated exposure. The county faces substantially higher natural disaster risks than most U.S. counties.

Among Georgia's riskiest counties

Carroll ranks in Georgia's top tier for natural disaster risk, with one of the state's highest composite scores. The county's Relatively Low rating reflects state comparisons but masks serious multi-hazard vulnerabilities.

Carroll stands out as the highest-risk county

Carroll's score of 70.45 is significantly higher than regional peers like Catoosa (64.63), Burke (37.31), and Butts (20.52). Only a handful of Georgia counties exceed Carroll's overall risk exposure.

Tornado risk is the dominant threat

Carroll's tornado risk score of 91.79 is among Georgia's highest, reflecting the county's location in a naturally active weather corridor. Flood risk at 70.77 and wildfire risk at 78.66 compound the vulnerability, with earthquake and hurricane risks also significant at 76.24 and 64.66 respectively.

Multi-hazard protection is critical

Carroll residents should carry comprehensive homeowners insurance with strong wind and hail coverage for tornado protection. Adding flood insurance is prudent given the 70.77 flood risk, and wildfire coverage should be evaluated for properties in forest-adjacent areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Carroll County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    92th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    79th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    76th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Carroll County

Risk Verdict

Carroll County's FEMA risk score places it at the 70th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Carroll County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (76th percentile), flood (71th percentile), hurricane (65th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 92th percentile nationally makes Carroll County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 79th percentile nationally means Carroll County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. In Carroll County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

The Georgia county average is 31.0 composite points below Carroll County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Carroll 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 Carroll County, GA?
Carroll County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 70th 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 Carroll County?
Carroll County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (92th percentile), wildfire (79th percentile), earthquake (76th percentile), flooding (71th percentile), hurricane (65th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 92th 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 Carroll County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Carroll County's composite risk percentile is 70th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Carroll County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Carroll County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Carroll County's tornado risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Carroll County is at the 71th 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 Carroll County higher risk than average?
Carroll County's composite risk score of 70th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (92th percentile), along with wildfire and earthquake and flooding and hurricane 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.