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

Clinch County Disaster Risk

Clinch County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

21th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#107

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

29th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% 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 82% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clinch County, Georgia

Clinch enjoys very low overall risk

Clinch County's composite risk score of 20.74 places it well below the national average with a very low risk rating, indicating minimal exposure to most natural hazards. Tornado (29.93), earthquake (36.10), and flood (29.04) risks are all low, while wildfire risk (54.17) is moderate but manageable. Hurricane risk (82.27) stands out but reflects distant tropical impacts rather than coastal vulnerability.

Georgia's safest inland county

Clinch's 20.74 composite score ranks it third safest in Georgia, behind only Chattahoochee (2.04) and Clay (8.46), roughly half the state average of 39.49. The county's flood, tornado, and earthquake risks are all well below state averages. Clinch's southeastern location and rural character create an exceptionally stable natural hazard environment.

Safest in rural southeast Georgia

Clinch's 20.74 score trails only the ultra-low-risk Chattahoochee (2.04) and Clay (8.46) in its broader region, sitting well below Chattooga (54.36) and all metro counties. Within southeastern Georgia's rural profile, Clinch ranks among the safest locations. This geographic advantage reflects the county's isolation from major urban hazard zones and metropolitan flooding corridors.

Hurricane is the only significant hazard

Hurricane risk (82.27) is Clinch's sole elevated concern, reflecting distant tropical storm impacts rather than direct coastal vulnerability; the county lies 150+ miles inland from the Atlantic. Tornado (29.93), flood (29.04), and earthquake (36.10) risks are all minimal. Residents face an unusually benign natural hazard environment for most practical planning.

Standard coverage handles most risks

Standard homeowners insurance at competitive rates provides adequate protection for Clinch properties, given the county's minimal flood, tornado, and earthquake exposure. Flood insurance is optional unless you own property in a mapped floodplain—check FEMA maps to confirm. The county's very low overall risk profile means insurance costs can reflect the region's true safety status, freeing resources for other investments.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clinch County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    36th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Clinch County

Risk Verdict

Clinch County's overall natural disaster score at the 21th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. A 21th percentile score positions Clinch County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Clinch County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (30th percentile), flood (29th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 82th percentile nationally makes Clinch County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Clinch County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 54th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Clinch County independent of hurricane season. Clinch County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Clinch County's composite risk score sits 18.8 points below the Georgia county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Clinch 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 Clinch County, GA?
Clinch County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 21th 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 Clinch County?
Clinch County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (82th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (30th percentile), flooding (29th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 82th 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 Clinch County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Clinch County's composite risk percentile is 21th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Clinch County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Clinch County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Clinch County's hurricane risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Clinch County is at the 29th 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 Clinch County a safe place to live?
Clinch County's composite risk score of 21th 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 82th 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.