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

Coffee County Disaster Risk

Coffee County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

60th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

51th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Coffee County, Georgia

Coffee County moderately elevated risk

Coffee County's composite risk score of 59.61 puts it in the relatively low category—but still 51% above Georgia's state average of 39.49, indicating meaningful disaster vulnerability. The county faces a broad spectrum of hazards rather than one dominant threat. This balanced risk profile warrants thoughtful preparedness planning.

Middle-of-the-pack risk among Georgia counties

Coffee County ranks in the moderate range statewide with a composite score of 59.61, notably driven by hurricane risk of 89.70 and tornado risk of 75.51. While not among Georgia's most vulnerable counties, Coffee's exposure to tropical systems and severe convective weather is significant. The county's wildfire risk of 68.16 adds another consideration.

Similar risk to peer counties southward

Coffee County (59.61) sits between Colquitt County (70.55) to the south and Crisp County (52.29) to the west, representing a typical risk profile for south-central Georgia. Nearby Cook County (34.83) is noticeably safer, while Columbia County (76.84) to the north carries greater peril. Coffee's position reflects exposure to tropical systems affecting the region.

Hurricane and tornado season threats

Hurricane risk of 89.70 makes tropical systems Coffee's foremost concern—late summer and fall require heightened attention to storm tracking and evacuation orders. Tornado risk of 75.51 compounds the threat during spring severe weather; having a designated shelter and family communication plan is essential.

Flood and wind coverage are priorities

Coffee County residents should secure separate flood insurance given the combination of hurricane risk (89.70) and tornado risk (75.51), as standard policies exclude flood damage. Verify your homeowners policy covers wind and hail damage, and consider reinforcing roof fasteners and installing storm shutters given tropical storm exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Coffee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    71th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Coffee County

Risk Verdict

Coffee County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Coffee County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Coffee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (71th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile), flood (51th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Coffee County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 90th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Coffee County's tornado exposure at the 76th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Coffee County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

Coffee County's composite risk score sits 20.1 points above the Georgia county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Coffee 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 Coffee County, GA?
Coffee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 60th 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 Coffee County?
Coffee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), tornado (76th percentile), earthquake (71th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile), flooding (51th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th 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 Coffee County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Coffee County's composite risk percentile is 60th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Coffee County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Coffee County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Coffee County's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Coffee County is at the 51th 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 Coffee County higher risk than average?
Coffee County's composite risk score of 60th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (90th percentile), along with tornado and earthquake and wildfire and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.