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

Colquitt County Disaster Risk

Colquitt County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

71th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#24

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

60th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Colquitt County, Georgia

Colquitt County faces elevated risk profile

Colquitt County's composite risk score of 70.55 places it in the relatively low risk category, yet it exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49 by 78%—a substantial margin. The county's hazard exposure spans multiple weather phenomena, with hurricane and tornado risks particularly pronounced. Preparedness here means planning for diverse threats.

Upper-middle risk among Georgia counties

Colquitt County ranks in the upper-middle tier statewide with its 70.55 composite score, driven strongly by hurricane risk of 90.86 and tornado risk of 85.37. Wildfire risk of 68.99 and earthquake risk of 56.49 round out a multi-hazard exposure profile. Few Georgia counties face such balanced risk across so many disaster types.

Slightly riskier than Coffee County nearby

Colquitt County (70.55) edges out Coffee County (59.61) to the north, both representing south Georgia's moderate-to-elevated risk zone. Cook County (34.83) to the west is substantially safer, while Columbia County to the northeast (76.84) carries marginally greater peril. Colquitt sits in a belt of counties vulnerable to Gulf-spawned tropical systems.

Hurricanes and tornadoes lead the list

Hurricane risk of 90.86 makes tropical systems Colquitt's primary threat—residents should monitor the Atlantic basin from June through November and have evacuation routes identified. Tornado risk of 85.37 is equally serious; spring severe weather can produce damaging winds and dangerous rotation without much warning.

Flood insurance is strongly recommended

Given hurricane risk of 90.86, Colquitt residents should obtain flood insurance immediately, as standard homeowners policies exclude water damage—particularly critical during tropical cyclones. Ensure your roof and foundation can withstand high winds, and consider a safe room or reinforced shelter given tornado risk of 85.37.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Colquitt County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    69th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Colquitt County

Risk Verdict

Colquitt County ranks at the 71th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Colquitt County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (69th percentile), flood (60th percentile), earthquake (56th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Colquitt County ranks at the 91th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 85th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Colquitt County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Colquitt County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

Compared to other Georgia counties, Colquitt County runs 31.1 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Colquitt 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 Colquitt County, GA?
Colquitt County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 71th 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 Colquitt County?
Colquitt County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (91th percentile), tornado (85th percentile), wildfire (69th percentile), flooding (60th percentile), earthquake (56th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 91th 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 Colquitt County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Colquitt County's composite risk percentile is 71th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Colquitt County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Colquitt County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Colquitt County's hurricane risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Colquitt County is at the 60th 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 Colquitt County higher risk than average?
Colquitt County's composite risk score of 71th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (91th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire and flooding and earthquake 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.