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

Grady County Disaster Risk

Grady County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#53

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

41th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grady County, Georgia

Grady's Risk: Above Average Nationally

Grady County scores 52.99 on the composite risk index, placing it well above the national average and marking it as relatively low-risk overall. This score reflects exposure to multiple hazard types, with hurricane risk being particularly elevated at 88.07—significantly higher than most U.S. counties.

Mid-Tier Risk Within Georgia

Grady ranks in the middle range of Georgia counties for overall risk, scoring 52.99 compared to the state average of 39.49. The county's risk profile is shaped primarily by hurricane vulnerability and tornado exposure, both well above state norms.

Riskier Than Rural Neighbors

Grady's composite risk of 52.99 significantly exceeds nearby rural counties like Hancock (11.86) and Harris (20.77), though it remains lower than urbanized Gwinnett (95.42). Among adjacent counties, Grady faces notably higher hurricane and tornado risks.

Hurricane and Tornado Threats Dominate

Grady residents face exceptional hurricane risk at 88.07, plus tornado exposure at 76.08—both among Georgia's highest hazard scores. Wildfire risk is also notable at 62.72, requiring year-round preparedness for severe weather and fire season threats.

Prioritize Wind and Flood Coverage Now

Grady's elevated hurricane and tornado risks make wind and hail damage a real threat to homes and property. Review your homeowners insurance immediately to ensure adequate coverage for wind damage, and consider flood insurance given the county's 40.71 flood risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grady County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    63th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Grady County

Risk Verdict

Grady County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 53th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Grady County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Grady County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (63th percentile), flood (41th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 88th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Grady 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. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 76th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Grady County independent of hurricane season. For Grady 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 13.5 points above the Georgia state average puts Grady County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Grady 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 Grady County, GA?
Grady County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 53th 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 Grady County?
Grady County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (88th percentile), tornado (76th percentile), wildfire (63th percentile), flooding (41th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 88th 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 Grady County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Grady County's composite risk percentile is 53th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Grady County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Grady County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Grady County's hurricane risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Grady County is at the 41th 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 Grady County higher risk than average?
Grady County's composite risk score of 53th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (88th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire 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.