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

Forsyth County Disaster Risk

Forsyth County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

86th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

90th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 94% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Forsyth County, Georgia

Forsyth County faces elevated disaster risks

Forsyth County's composite risk score of 86.13 substantially exceeds the national average, placing it in the "Relatively Moderate" risk category. This rating reflects significant exposure across multiple disaster types that every resident should account for in their preparedness plans.

Among Georgia's highest-risk counties

Forsyth County's score of 86.13 towers over Georgia's state average of 39.49, making it one of the state's most disaster-prone counties. This more-than-doubling of state-average risk signals that Forsyth faces hazard pressures distinctly different from most of Georgia.

Most threatened county in the region

Forsyth County (86.13) surpasses neighboring Floyd County (81.97) and significantly outranks nearby counties like Gilmer (68.10), making it the most at-risk in its immediate area. This elevated status warrants particular attention to regional disaster planning and home hardening efforts.

Floods and tornadoes dominate here

Flood risk in Forsyth County reaches 90.01, among the state's highest, while tornado risk peaks at 94.31, reflecting vulnerability to severe weather systems. These two hazards together account for the county's outsized composite risk and demand dedicated mitigation strategies.

Prioritize flood and wind coverage now

Forsyth County residents in flood-prone zones should obtain flood insurance immediately, as standard policies provide no coverage and the National Flood Insurance Program enrollment has waiting periods. Additionally, ensure your homeowners policy includes tornado/windstorm coverage and consider impact-resistant roofing and reinforced garage doors in this high-tornado-risk zone.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Forsyth County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    90th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Forsyth County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard risk in Forsyth County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 86th. Forsyth County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Forsyth County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 90th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (83th percentile), hurricane (56th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 94th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Forsyth County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Forsyth County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 90th percentile nationally means Forsyth County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Forsyth County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

A composite score 46.6 points above the Georgia state average puts Forsyth County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Forsyth 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 Forsyth County, GA?
Forsyth County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 86th 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 Forsyth County?
Forsyth County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (94th percentile), flooding (90th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), hurricane (56th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 94th 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 Forsyth County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Forsyth County's composite risk percentile is 86th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Forsyth County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Forsyth County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Forsyth County's tornado risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Forsyth County is at the 90th 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 Forsyth County higher risk than average?
Forsyth County's composite risk score of 86th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (94th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and hurricane 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

Clayton County

Georgia

+0.6

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

Cherokee County

Georgia

-0.9

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

Richmond County

Georgia

+1.3

Relatively Moderate

87th 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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