Catoosa County Disaster Risk
Catoosa County, Georgia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
65th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#38
of 159 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
65th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 38% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Catoosa County, Georgia
Catoosa faces significantly above-average risk
Catoosa County's composite risk score of 64.63 substantially exceeds Georgia's 39.49 state average, placing it in the Relatively Low category with elevated exposure. The county confronts higher-than-typical natural disaster risks across multiple hazard types.
Among Georgia's riskier counties statewide
Catoosa ranks in the upper tier of Georgia's natural disaster risk counties, with a score well above the state average. The county's positioning reflects genuine multi-hazard vulnerability rather than isolated exposure.
Catoosa riskier than most regional peers
At 64.63, Catoosa trails only Carroll County (70.45) in this grouping and significantly exceeds safer neighbors like Burke (37.31), Butts (20.52), and Candler (11.58). The county sits in a notably vulnerable zone for natural disasters.
Tornado and earthquake dominate the threat landscape
Catoosa's tornado risk of 84.51 and earthquake risk of 78.72 are among its most serious hazards, reflecting the county's mountainous terrain and active weather patterns. Flood risk at 65.04 compounds concerns, particularly in valley and creek bottoms.
Robust wind and earthquake coverage essential
Catoosa homeowners should prioritize comprehensive wind and hail coverage to address tornado risk, with earthquake coverage as a critical add-on given the 78.72 earthquake risk. Flood insurance is strongly recommended for properties in or near designated flood zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Catoosa County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Catoosa County
Risk Verdict
Catoosa County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 65th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Catoosa County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Catoosa County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (65th percentile), hurricane (47th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 85th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Catoosa County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Catoosa County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 79th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Catoosa County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Catoosa County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 25.1 points above the Georgia state average puts Catoosa County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Catoosa County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Catoosa County, GA?
What types of natural hazards affect Catoosa County?
How does Catoosa County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Is Catoosa County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Catoosa County higher risk than average?
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.