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

Hart County Disaster Risk

Hart County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#81

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

43th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hart County, Georgia

Hart County's Risk: Well Below Average

Hart County scores 35.40 on the national composite risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and sitting comfortably below the national average. This means residents face significantly less overall natural disaster exposure than most American counties.

One of Georgia's Safest Counties

Hart County's composite risk of 35.40 places it well below Georgia's state average of 39.49. Among all Georgia counties, Hart ranks as one of the lower-risk areas for natural disasters.

Safer Than Most Regional Peers

Neighboring Jackson County (41.92) and Jasper County (8.08) show how risk varies across the region. Hart's 35.40 score positions it as a moderate-to-low risk area compared to similar counties nearby.

Earthquakes and Hurricanes Lead Hazards

Earthquake risk (68.38) and hurricane exposure (73.34) are Hart's highest individual hazard scores, though both remain manageable. Tornado risk (51.88) also warrants attention, as severe storms can develop rapidly across northeast Georgia.

Earthquake and Wind Coverage Matter

Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes earthquake and wind damage; Hart County residents should consider separate policies to close these gaps. Review your coverage annually and ensure your home's roof and foundation meet current building codes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hart County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    68th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    52th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hart County

Risk Verdict

Hart County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 35th percentile nationally. Being ranked at the 35th percentile nationally is an advantage for Hart County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Hart County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (52th percentile), flood (43th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 73th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Hart 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. Hart County's earthquake exposure at the 68th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Hart County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Hart County tracks the Georgia county average closely, sitting 4.1 composite points below the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Georgia.

Is your household prepared for Hart 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 Hart County, GA?
Hart County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Hart County?
Hart County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (73th percentile), earthquake (68th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), flooding (43th percentile), wildfire (23th 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 Hart County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Hart County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Hart County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Hart County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hart County's hurricane risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Hart County is at the 43th 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 Hart County a safe place to live?
Hart County's composite risk score of 35th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Cook County

Georgia

-0.6

Very Low

35th percentile

Pickens County

Georgia

-0.6

Very Low

35th percentile

Worth County

Georgia

+1.1

Very Low

36th 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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