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

Houston County Disaster Risk

Houston County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

70th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#25

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

72th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Houston County, Georgia

Houston County Ranks Above National Average

Houston County's composite risk score of 70.48 places it well above the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating despite elevated exposure. This middle Georgia county experiences more natural disaster risk than the typical American county.

High-Risk Area Within Georgia

Houston County's 70.48 composite score nearly doubles Georgia's 39.49 state average, positioning it among the state's most hazard-prone counties. The county's geographic location and development patterns amplify disaster vulnerability.

Highest Risk in Its Immediate Area

Houston County (70.48) exceeds the risk levels of Irwin County (13.64) and Jeff Davis County (28.21) to its south and east. Only Henry County (79.36) to the north approaches comparable risk exposure in the region.

Hurricane, Flood, and Tornado Convergence

Hurricane (80.48), flood (71.60), and tornado (79.39) risks all score above 70, creating a triple-threat disaster profile for Houston County. Earthquake (79.10) and wildfire (68.13) risks add additional pressure on infrastructure and homes.

Multi-Hazard Coverage Strategy Required

Houston County residents cannot rely on standard homeowners insurance alone—flood, earthquake, and windstorm coverage are critical additions. Upgrade your roof to impact-resistant materials, secure outdoor items, and maintain proper drainage to mitigate multiple hazard impacts.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Houston County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    79th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    79th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Houston County

Risk Verdict

Houston County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Houston County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Houston County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (79th percentile), flood (72th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Houston County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 80th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Houston County's tornado exposure at the 79th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Houston County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

Houston County's composite risk score sits 31.0 points above the Georgia county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Houston 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 Houston County, GA?
Houston County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 70th 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 Houston County?
Houston County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (80th percentile), tornado (79th percentile), earthquake (79th percentile), flooding (72th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 80th 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 Houston County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Houston County's composite risk percentile is 70th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Houston County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Houston County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Houston County's hurricane risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Houston County is at the 72th 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 Houston County higher risk than average?
Houston County's composite risk score of 70th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (80th percentile), along with tornado and earthquake and flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Carroll County

Georgia

-0.0

Relatively Low

70th percentile

Colquitt County

Georgia

+0.1

Relatively Low

71th percentile

Paulding County

Georgia

-0.5

Relatively Low

70th 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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