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

Hancock County Disaster Risk

Hancock County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

12th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#128

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hancock County, Georgia

Hancock: Georgia's Lowest-Risk County

Hancock County scores just 11.86 on the composite risk index, making it one of the safest counties in the entire United States. This exceptionally low score reflects minimal exposure across all major natural disaster hazard types.

State's Most Protected County

Hancock ranks as the lowest-risk county in Georgia with a score of 11.86, less than one-third of the state average of 39.49. No other Georgia county comes close to matching Hancock's safety profile.

Safest Among All Regional Peers

Hancock's score of 11.86 is dramatically lower than every neighboring county, including Haralson (27.61), Harris (20.77), and Greene (37.25). It stands alone as the region's natural disaster refuge.

Minimal Hazards Across the Board

Hancock's highest individual risk is hurricane at 62.12, still well below state norms for that hazard. Tornado risk of just 28.85 and flood risk of 26.88 indicate truly low exposure across major weather threats.

Basic Coverage Provides Solid Protection

Hancock County's exceptional safety profile means residents can maintain standard homeowners insurance without expensive specialized add-ons. Still, annual policy reviews ensure you maintain appropriate coverage as part of prudent financial planning.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hancock County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    44th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hancock County

Risk Verdict

At the 12th percentile nationally, Hancock County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Hancock County residents can take confidence from a 12th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Hancock County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (44th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), flood (27th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hancock County ranks at the 62th 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. Hancock County's wildfire exposure at the 54th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For extended post-storm outages common in Hancock 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

A composite score 27.6 points below the Georgia state average puts Hancock County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Hancock 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 Hancock County, GA?
Hancock County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 12th 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 Hancock County?
Hancock County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (62th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile), earthquake (44th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), flooding (27th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 62th 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 Hancock County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Hancock County's composite risk percentile is 12th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Hancock County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Hancock County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hancock County's hurricane risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Hancock County is at the 27th 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 Hancock County a safe place to live?
Hancock County's composite risk score of 12th 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 62th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Candler County

Georgia

-0.3

Very Low

12th percentile

Banks County

Georgia

+0.5

Very Low

12th percentile

Heard County

Georgia

+1.0

Very Low

13th 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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