Clarke County Disaster Risk
Clarke County, Georgia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
67th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#31
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
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Clarke County, Georgia
Clarke balances moderate and elevated risks
Clarke County's composite risk score of 66.95 places it above the national average with a relatively low risk rating, reflecting a mixed hazard profile. Tornado (79.42), hurricane (71.34), and earthquake (83.33) risks are all notable, while wildfire exposure (25.64) is minimal. The county's central Georgia location creates exposure to multiple hazard types without coastal vulnerability.
Above-average risk for Georgia
Clarke's 66.95 composite score exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49 by nearly 70 percent, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state county risk. Earthquake risk (83.33) is particularly elevated for inland Georgia, reflecting the county's proximity to Appalachian seismic zones. Tornado risk (79.42) aligns with the state's general convective weather exposure.
Moderate risk within central Georgia
Clarke's 66.95 score exceeds Chattooga (54.36) and Chattahoochee (2.04) but falls below Cherokee (85.27) and Chatham (97.42) in the broader regional context. The county occupies a moderate-risk position in central Georgia, with earthquake exposure slightly higher than typical for the region. This profile distinguishes Clarke from both its low-risk western neighbors and high-risk eastern/northern peers.
Earthquake and tornado, with hurricane distant
Earthquake risk (83.33) is Clarke's most notable hazard, ranking high for Georgia and reflecting the county's position near Appalachian fault zones, though major seismic events remain historically rare. Tornado risk (79.42) follows closely, with spring severe weather a routine concern. Hurricane risk (71.34) is elevated but reflects distant impacts rather than direct coastal exposure.
Earthquake and tornado awareness matter most
Confirm your homeowners policy includes wind/hail coverage for tornado risk (79.42), and consider flood insurance if your property sits near mapped floodplains or the Oconee River. While earthquake risk (83.33) is higher than most Georgia counties, standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage—separate earthquake insurance is available but typically optional unless in a mapped risk zone. Secure heavy furniture and water heaters to foundation bracing as practical earthquake mitigation.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Clarke County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Clarke County
Risk Verdict
Clarke County's FEMA risk score places it at the 67th 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
Earthquake risk is Clarke County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (71th percentile), flood (71th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 83th percentile nationally, Clarke County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Clarke County's tornado risk at the 79th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Clarke County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
The Georgia county average is 27.5 composite points below Clarke County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Clarke County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Clarke County, GA?
What types of natural hazards affect Clarke County?
How does Clarke County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Is Clarke County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Clarke 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.