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

Henry County Disaster Risk

Henry County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

79th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

85th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Henry County, Georgia

Henry County Faces Elevated Risk Nationally

Henry County's composite score of 79.36 marks it as "Relatively Low" but still substantially higher than the national average. This growing suburban county near Atlanta experiences more natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties.

Among Georgia's Highest-Risk Counties

Henry County's 79.36 rating nearly doubles Georgia's 39.49 state average, ranking it among the state's most hazard-exposed counties. The combination of rapid development, population density, and geographic exposure creates this elevated profile.

Riskier Than Most Surrounding Counties

Henry County (79.36) carries significantly higher risk than Jasper County (8.08) and Heard County (12.82) to its north and west. Houston County (70.48) approaches similar risk levels, reflecting the Atlanta metro corridor's increased disaster exposure.

Flooding and Tornadoes Dominate Threats

Flood risk (84.51) and tornado risk (89.54) are Henry County's primary hazards, reflecting the county's position in Georgia's tornado corridor and watershed vulnerabilities. Earthquake risk (77.04) adds additional pressure, with significant population centers at stake.

Comprehensive Coverage Essential Here

Henry County residents must prioritize flood insurance—standard homeowners policies exclude water damage, yet flood risk scores 84.51. Bundle earthquake and windstorm coverage, and consider strengthened roof attachments and foundation anchoring.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Henry County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    77th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Henry County

Risk Verdict

At the 79th percentile nationally, Henry County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Henry County.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Henry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (77th percentile), hurricane (64th percentile), wildfire (43th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Henry County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 90th percentile nationally. In Henry County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Flood is the second hazard driver for Henry County at the 85th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Henry County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Henry County households.

Regional Context

Henry County falls 39.9 points above Georgia's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Henry 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 Henry County, GA?
Henry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 79th 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 Henry County?
Henry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (90th percentile), flooding (85th percentile), earthquake (77th percentile), hurricane (64th percentile), wildfire (43th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 90th 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 Henry County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Henry County's composite risk percentile is 79th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Henry County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Henry County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Henry County's tornado risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Henry County is at the 85th 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.
Why is Henry County higher risk than average?
Henry County's composite risk score of 79th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (90th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.