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

Heard County Disaster Risk

Heard County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#126

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

22th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Heard County, Georgia

Heard County: Among America's Safest

Heard County's composite risk score of 12.82 ranks it among the nation's lowest-risk counties, far below the national average. This "Very Low" rating means residents face minimal overall exposure to major natural disasters.

Georgia's Lowest-Risk County

Heard County's 12.82 composite score is dramatically lower than Georgia's 39.49 state average—one of the safest places in the state. Few Georgia counties match Heard's exceptional natural disaster protection.

Safest in Its Region by Far

Heard County significantly outperforms neighboring Henry County (79.36) and Houston County (70.48), which face much higher overall disaster risk. This makes Heard an outlier of safety in its immediate area.

Wildfire and Tornado Warrant Attention

Wildfire (51.59) and tornado (51.75) risks represent Heard's primary hazard concerns, though both remain below critical thresholds. Flood risk (22.30) is minimal, providing significant protection for homes and property.

Standard Homeowners Insurance Sufficient

Heard County's low composite risk means a standard homeowners policy covers most scenarios, though wildfire and tornado endorsements should be verified. Ensure your policy includes wind and hail coverage, common in tornado-prone regions.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Heard County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    56th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    52th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Heard County

Risk Verdict

Heard County's overall natural disaster score at the 13th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 13th percentile nationally, Heard County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Heard County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 56th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (52th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), flood (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 56th percentile nationally makes Heard County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Heard County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 52th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Heard County independent of hurricane season. Heard County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Heard County's composite risk score sits 26.7 points below the Georgia county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Heard 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 Heard County, GA?
Heard County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Heard County?
Heard County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (56th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), wildfire (52th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), flooding (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 56th 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 Heard County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Heard County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Heard County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Heard County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Heard County's hurricane risk is at the 56th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Heard County is at the 22th 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 Heard County a safe place to live?
Heard County's composite risk score of 13th 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 56th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wilkes County

Georgia

+0.1

Very Low

13th percentile

Wilcox County

Georgia

+0.3

Very Low

13th percentile

Banks County

Georgia

-0.4

Very Low

12th 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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