Dougherty County Disaster Risk

Dougherty County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#13

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

88th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Dougherty County

Risk Verdict

Dougherty County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 83th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Dougherty County, scoring in the 89th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 88th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (79th), earthquake (77th), wildfire (70th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Dougherty County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Dougherty County is significantly riskier than the average county in Georgia. Its composite risk score is 43.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Dougherty County, GA?
Dougherty County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 83th 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 Dougherty County?
Dougherty County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (89th percentile), flooding (88th percentile), tornado (79th percentile), earthquake (77th percentile), wildfire (70th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 89th 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 Dougherty County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Dougherty County's composite risk percentile is 83th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Dougherty County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Dougherty County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Dougherty County's hurricane risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Dougherty County is at the 88th 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 Dougherty County higher risk than average?
Dougherty County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (89th percentile), along with flooding and tornado and earthquake and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.