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

Charlton County Disaster Risk

Charlton County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#94

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

18th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Charlton County, Georgia

Charlton ranks below national average overall

Charlton County's composite risk score of 26.72 falls notably below Georgia's 39.49 state average, placing it solidly in the Very Low risk category. The county experiences lower-than-typical natural disaster exposure for the nation overall.

Among Georgia's safer counties

Charlton ranks in the safer half of Georgia's counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a score well below the state average. The county benefits from relatively modest exposure across most hazard types.

Charlton safer than high-risk regional peers

At 26.72, Charlton is safer than neighbors like Camden (54.55), Carroll (70.45), and Catoosa (64.63), though slightly riskier than Candler (11.58) and Calhoun (16.32). The county sits in a comparatively protected zone.

Hurricane and wildfire are primary concerns

Charlton's hurricane risk of 88.03 and wildfire risk of 72.17 represent its most significant hazards, reflecting coastal proximity and forest coverage. Tornado risk at 27.23 and earthquake risk at 35.78 remain secondary.

Hurricane and wildfire coverage recommended

Charlton homeowners should secure comprehensive wind coverage for hurricane protection and evaluate wildfire insurance, particularly if properties border forested areas. Standard homeowners policies cover basic wind damage, but dedicated hurricane coverage may provide more robust protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Charlton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    36th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Charlton County

Risk Verdict

Charlton County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 27th percentile nationally. At the 27th percentile nationally, Charlton County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Charlton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), flood (18th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 88th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Charlton County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Wildfire at the 72th percentile nationally is Charlton County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Charlton County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Charlton County falls 12.8 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 Charlton 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 Charlton County, GA?
Charlton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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 Charlton County?
Charlton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (88th percentile), wildfire (72th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), flooding (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 88th 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 Charlton County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Charlton County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Charlton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Charlton County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Charlton County's hurricane risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Charlton County is at the 18th 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 Charlton County a safe place to live?
Charlton County's composite risk score of 27th 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 88th 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.