riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Habersham County Disaster Risk

Habersham County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#77

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

44th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Habersham County

Risk Verdict

Habersham County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 39th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Habersham County, scoring in the 64th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 61th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (58th), wildfire (49th), flood (44th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Habersham County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Habersham County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Georgia. Its composite risk score is within 0.6 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Georgia as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Habersham County, GA?
Habersham County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Habersham County?
Habersham County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (64th percentile), tornado (61th percentile), hurricane (58th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile), flooding (44th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 64th 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 Habersham County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Habersham County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Habersham County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Habersham County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Habersham County's earthquake risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Habersham County is at the 44th 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 Habersham County a safe place to live?
Habersham County's composite risk score of 39th 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 earthquake at the 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Berrien County

Georgia

+0.4

Very Low

39th percentile

Towns County

Georgia

+0.7

Very Low

40th percentile

Emanuel County

Georgia

+1.0

Very Low

40th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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