riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Effingham County Disaster Risk

Effingham County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

59th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#44

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

52th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Effingham County

Risk Verdict

Effingham County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 59th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Effingham County, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 74th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (72th), flood (52th), tornado (47th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Effingham 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 earthquake 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

Effingham County is significantly riskier than the average county in Georgia. Its composite risk score is 19.6 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 Effingham County, GA?
Effingham County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 59th 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 Effingham County?
Effingham County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (91th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), wildfire (72th percentile), flooding (52th percentile), tornado (47th 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 Effingham County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Effingham County's composite risk percentile is 59th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Effingham County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Effingham County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Effingham County's hurricane risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Effingham County is at the 52th 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 Effingham County higher risk than average?
Effingham County's composite risk score of 59th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (91th percentile), along with earthquake and wildfire and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Coffee County

Georgia

+0.5

Relatively Low

60th percentile

Troup County

Georgia

+0.8

Relatively Low

60th percentile

Fayette County

Georgia

+2.2

Relatively Low

61th percentile

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.

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