Dawson County Disaster Risk
Dawson County, Georgia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
22th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#104
of 159 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
34th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 51% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 51% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Dawson County, Georgia
Dawson ranks among nation's safest counties
Dawson County scores just 21.88 on composite risk—placing it in the Very Low category and well below the national average. This makes Dawson one of Georgia's and the nation's least disaster-prone counties, though no location is risk-free.
Georgia's second-lowest risk county
Dawson's 21.88 score ranks it among Georgia's safest counties, significantly below the state average of 39.49. Only a handful of Georgia counties maintain lower composite risk than Dawson.
Safest in its region
Dawson's neighbors include Dade County (33.21, Very Low) and Forsyth County to the south, with Dawson maintaining the lowest risk in its immediate area. The county's high elevation and distance from major flood zones contribute to this favorable profile.
Tornadoes require most attention here
Tornado risk reaches 51.46 in Dawson, its highest hazard, though still moderate compared to other Georgia counties. Earthquake risk (50.86) and wildfire risk (33.46) follow, with flood and hurricane risks remaining minimal at 33.94 and 36.75 respectively.
Keep tornado coverage in your policy
Dawson homeowners should maintain standard homeowners insurance with wind and tornado coverage, and develop a family severe weather plan. The county's low overall risk means you can focus resources on tornado preparedness rather than multiple hazard mitigation strategies.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Dawson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Dawson County
Risk Verdict
At the 22th percentile nationally, Dawson County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A 22th percentile score positions Dawson County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Dawson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 51th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (37th percentile), flood (34th percentile), wildfire (33th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Dawson County ranks at the 51th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Dawson County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Dawson County at the 51th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. Dawson County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.
Regional Context
A composite score 17.6 points below the Georgia state average puts Dawson County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Dawson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Dawson County, GA?
What types of natural hazards affect Dawson County?
How does Dawson County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Is Dawson County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Dawson County a safe place to live?
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.