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

Irwin County Disaster Risk

Irwin County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#123

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

8th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% 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

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Irwin County, Georgia

Irwin County: America's Safest Profile

Irwin County's composite risk score of 13.64 places it among the nation's lowest-risk counties, far below any national average. This "Very Low" rating reflects exceptional protection from most major natural disaster hazards.

One of Georgia's Safest Counties

Irwin County's 13.64 composite score sits well below Georgia's 39.49 state average, making it one of the safest places in the state. Few Georgia counties match this level of natural disaster resilience.

Protected Compared to Regional Peers

Irwin County (13.64) significantly outperforms Houston County (70.48) to its north and maintains lower risk than Jeff Davis County (28.21) nearby. The county's geographic isolation contributes to its favorable risk profile.

Hurricane Risk the Primary Concern

Hurricane exposure (78.14) stands out as Irwin County's single notable hazard, though all other risks remain well below critical levels. Flood risk is exceptionally low at just 7.79, providing strong protection for most properties.

Standard Coverage Generally Adequate

Irwin County's very low composite risk means standard homeowners insurance covers most scenarios effectively. Focus coverage verification on hurricane/windstorm riders given that specific exposure, and maintain regular roof inspections.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Irwin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    36th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    35th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Irwin County

Risk Verdict

At the 14th percentile nationally, Irwin County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Irwin County's favorable 14th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Irwin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (35th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile), flood (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Irwin County ranks at the 78th 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. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 36th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Irwin County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Irwin 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 25.8 points below the Georgia state average puts Irwin County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Irwin 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 Irwin County, GA?
Irwin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th 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 Irwin County?
Irwin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (78th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile), flooding (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 78th 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 Irwin County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Irwin County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Irwin County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Irwin County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Irwin County's hurricane risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Irwin County is at the 8th 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 Irwin County a safe place to live?
Irwin County's composite risk score of 14th 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 78th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wilcox County

Georgia

-0.5

Very Low

13th percentile

Wilkes County

Georgia

-0.7

Very Low

13th percentile

Heard County

Georgia

-0.8

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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