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

Greene County Disaster Risk

Greene County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

37th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#79

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

54th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Greene County, Georgia

Greene County: Well Below National Risk

Greene County scores 37.25 on the composite risk index, placing it in the very low category and below the national average. This favorable rating reflects moderate exposure across most hazard types, with no single catastrophic risk dominating the county.

Among Georgia's Safest Counties

Greene ranks among Georgia's lowest-risk counties with a score of 37.25, slightly below the state average of 39.49. The county's balanced risk profile makes it one of the more resilient areas in the state.

Safer Than Most Regional Peers

Greene's score of 37.25 is significantly lower than nearby Gwinnett (95.42) and Hall (84.26), though comparable to Habersham (38.90). It stands as one of the safest counties in its region.

Earthquake Risk Edges Above Peers

Greene's most notable hazard is earthquake risk at 58.59, elevated compared to many neighboring counties but still manageable. Flood and wildfire risks are moderate at 54.42 and 57.57 respectively, requiring standard seasonal preparedness.

Standard Coverage Sufficient for Greene

Greene's very low risk profile means homeowners can rely on standard insurance policies without premium add-ons for catastrophic hazards. Still, review coverage annually and maintain basic flood and wind protections as responsible practice.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Greene County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    58th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Greene County

Risk Verdict

Greene County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 37th percentile nationally. Even at the 37th percentile, Greene County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Greene County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (58th percentile), flood (54th percentile), tornado (42th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 73th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Greene County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Earthquake at the 59th percentile nationally is Greene County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Greene County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Greene County tracks the Georgia county average closely, sitting 2.2 composite points below the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Georgia.

Is your household prepared for Greene 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 Greene County, GA?
Greene County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 37th 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 Greene County?
Greene County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (73th percentile), earthquake (59th percentile), wildfire (58th percentile), flooding (54th percentile), tornado (42th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 73th 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 Greene County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Greene County's composite risk percentile is 37th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Greene County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Greene County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Greene County's hurricane risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Greene County is at the 54th 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.
Is Greene County a safe place to live?
Greene County's composite risk score of 37th percentile is below the Georgia state average of 40th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 73th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.