riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

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 Advisory: Clarke County

Risk Verdict

Clarke County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 67th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Clarke County, scoring in the 83th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 79th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (71th), flood (71th), wildfire (26th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Clarke County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Clarke County is significantly riskier than the average county in Georgia. Its composite risk score is 27.5 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Clarke County, GA?
Clarke County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 67th 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 Clarke County?
Clarke County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (83th percentile), tornado (79th percentile), hurricane (71th percentile), flooding (71th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 83th 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 Clarke County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Clarke County's composite risk percentile is 67th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Clarke County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Clarke County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Clarke County's earthquake risk is at the 83th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Clarke 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 Clarke County higher risk than average?
Clarke County's composite risk score of 67th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (83th percentile), along with tornado and hurricane and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Gordon County

Georgia

+0.3

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Bryan County

Georgia

-0.3

Relatively Low

67th percentile

McIntosh County

Georgia

-0.4

Relatively Low

67th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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