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

Glynn County Disaster Risk

Glynn County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

84th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

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

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Glynn County, Georgia

Glynn County faces significant coastal risks

Glynn County's composite risk score of 83.68 substantially exceeds the national average, placing it in the "Relatively Moderate" risk category. This elevated exposure reflects the county's coastal location and vulnerability to multiple hurricane-driven hazards.

Well above Georgia's risk average

Glynn County's score of 83.68 towers over Georgia's state average of 39.49, positioning it among the state's higher-risk counties. This doubling of state-average risk underscores the unique hazard profile of Georgia's Atlantic coastline.

Riskiest county in coastal Georgia

Glynn County (83.68) faces notably higher composite risk than inland counties across central Georgia, reflecting its oceanside exposure and hurricane vulnerability. Its risk level matches or exceeds that of other major Georgia metropolitan areas, making coastal preparedness paramount.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate threats

Hurricane risk in Glynn County reaches a critical 95.87, the highest of all hazard types and reflecting direct Atlantic exposure. Wildfire risk scores 92.11, while flood risk reaches 89.60, creating a triple threat particularly acute during Atlantic hurricane season.

Coastal insurance is absolutely essential

Glynn County residents must carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or private carriers, as this coverage is mandatory for mortgaged properties in coastal zones. Additionally, ensure your homeowners policy includes wind and hail coverage, consider hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows, and maintain evacuation plans updated annually.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Glynn County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    92th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    90th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Glynn County

Risk Verdict

Glynn County's overall risk score at the 84th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Glynn County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 92th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (90th percentile), earthquake (80th percentile), tornado (43th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Glynn County ranks at the 96th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Wildfire at the 92th percentile nationally is Glynn County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Glynn County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

Compared to other Georgia counties, Glynn County runs 44.2 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Glynn 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 Glynn County, GA?
Glynn County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 84th 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 Glynn County?
Glynn County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (96th percentile), wildfire (92th percentile), flooding (90th percentile), earthquake (80th percentile), tornado (43th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 96th 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 Glynn County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Glynn County's composite risk percentile is 84th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Glynn County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Glynn County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Glynn County's hurricane risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Glynn 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 Glynn County higher risk than average?
Glynn County's composite risk score of 84th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (96th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.