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

Dooly County Disaster Risk

Dooly County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#122

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

16th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dooly County, Georgia

Dooly ranks among America's safest counties

Dooly County scores just 14.95 on composite risk, the Very Low rating putting it among the nation's least disaster-prone counties. This central Georgia county benefits from inland position and favorable terrain relative to major natural hazard zones.

Georgia's safest county overall

Dooly's 14.95 score is the lowest in Georgia, less than 40% of the state average of 39.49. The county stands out as a genuine natural disaster safety benchmark for the state.

Safest in south-central Georgia

Dooly (14.95) significantly underperforms its neighbors—Dodge County scores 44.75 and Decatur County hits 75.86—showing how favorable local conditions can create pockets of relative safety. Dooly's inland position, away from hurricane zones and major seismic areas, explains its exceptional standing.

Hurricane risk surprisingly highest here

Hurricane risk reaches 75.14 in Dooly—the county's highest hazard despite its inland location—though actual hurricane impacts remain rare. Wildfire risk (42.65) follows, while tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes all score below 40, making them minimal concerns.

Standard homeowners insurance adequately covers Dooly

Dooly residents can rely on basic homeowners coverage without needing specialized flood or earthquake policies, placing them among Georgia's most financially insulated homeowners. Maintain standard wind coverage for the county's minimal tornado/severe weather exposure, and focus resources on regular home maintenance and upkeep.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dooly County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    39th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Dooly County

Risk Verdict

Dooly County's overall natural disaster score at the 15th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Even at the 15th percentile, Dooly County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Dooly County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (39th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), flood (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 75th percentile nationally makes Dooly County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Dooly County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Dooly County's wildfire exposure at the 43th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Dooly 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

Dooly County's composite risk score sits 24.5 points below the Georgia county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Dooly 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 Dooly County, GA?
Dooly County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Dooly County?
Dooly County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (75th percentile), wildfire (43th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), flooding (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 75th 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 Dooly County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Dooly County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Dooly County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Dooly County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Dooly County's hurricane risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Dooly County is at the 16th 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 Dooly County a safe place to live?
Dooly County's composite risk score of 15th 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 75th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Irwin County

Georgia

-1.3

Very Low

14th percentile

Calhoun County

Georgia

+1.4

Very Low

16th percentile

Jones County

Georgia

+1.4

Very Low

16th percentile

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.

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