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

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 Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Effingham County, Georgia

Effingham County: Above-average national risk

Effingham County scores 59.10 on the composite risk scale, placing it well above the national median and significantly above Georgia's average of 39.49. Its "Relatively Low" rating masks substantial exposure to multiple hazards, particularly hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires.

Higher-risk county in Georgia

Effingham County ranks in the upper third of Georgia's counties for natural disaster risk, with a composite score 50 percent higher than the state average. The county faces elevated exposure across nearly all hazard categories, making it one of Georgia's riskier communities.

Riskiest in its regional cluster

Effingham County's 59.10 score far exceeds neighboring Bryan, Screven, and Bulloch counties, making it the highest-risk community in its immediate region. Only Fannin and Fayette counties statewide carry comparable overall risk levels.

Hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires dominate

Effingham County faces a hurricane risk of 90.74, earthquake risk of 74.24, and wildfire risk of 72.30—three serious hazards affecting the county. Flooding (51.81) and tornadoes (46.95) also pose meaningful risks, particularly during storm seasons.

Comprehensive coverage essential for all hazards

Effingham County residents need robust homeowners policies covering wind, hail, and structural damage, plus separate flood insurance given moderate flood risk. Consider earthquake coverage if living near mapped fault zones or discussing wildfire risk mitigation with your insurance agent.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Effingham County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    74th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    72th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Effingham County

Risk Verdict

Effingham County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 59th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Effingham County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Effingham County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (72th percentile), flood (52th percentile), tornado (47th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 91th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Effingham County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Earthquake at the 74th percentile nationally is Effingham County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For Effingham County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

A composite score 19.6 points above the Georgia state average puts Effingham County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Effingham 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 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 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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