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

Dodge County Disaster Risk

Dodge County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

45th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#66

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dodge County, Georgia

Dodge sits slightly above the national average

Dodge County scores 44.75 on composite risk, placing it in the Relatively Low category and moderately above the national average. The county's geographic position in central Georgia exposes it to multiple hazard types, though no single threat dominates dramatically.

Moderate risk for Georgia

At 44.75, Dodge exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, ranking in the middle tier of Georgia counties. This places Dodge at greater risk than its northern neighbors but below the state's highest-risk counties like DeKalb.

Dodge balances risk between safer and riskier counties

Dodge (44.75) sits between Dooly County (14.95, Very Low) to the southwest and Decatur County (75.86, Relatively Low) to the south. This positioning reflects Dodge's middle-ground exposure in central Georgia's hazard landscape.

Hurricanes and wildfires pose largest threats

Hurricane risk dominates at 79.72, followed by wildfire risk at 60.85, while tornado risk remains relatively moderate at 30.28. Flood risk (31.58) and earthquake risk (51.21) represent secondary concerns for Dodge residents.

Focus on hurricane and wildfire preparedness

Dodge homeowners should ensure wind/hurricane coverage is included in homeowners policies and consider brush/tree clearing around properties to reduce wildfire exposure. Document valuable possessions, maintain emergency supplies, and keep property defensible space clear—practical steps for the county's primary hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dodge County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    61th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    51th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Dodge County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 45th, Dodge County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. The 45th percentile national ranking is one lens; Dodge County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Dodge County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (51th percentile), flood (32th percentile), tornado (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 80th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Dodge County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Wildfire at the 61th percentile nationally is Dodge County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Dodge County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

At 5.3 points above the Georgia state average, Dodge County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Georgia county.

Is your household prepared for Dodge 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 Dodge County, GA?
Dodge County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 45th 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 Dodge County?
Dodge County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (80th percentile), wildfire (61th percentile), earthquake (51th percentile), flooding (32th percentile), tornado (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 80th 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 Dodge County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Dodge County's composite risk percentile is 45th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Dodge County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Dodge County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Dodge County's hurricane risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Dodge County is at the 32th 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 Dodge County higher risk than average?
Dodge County's composite risk score of 45th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (80th percentile), along with wildfire 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.