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

Jackson County Disaster Risk

Jackson County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

42th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#72

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

47th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% 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 65% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jackson County, Georgia

Jackson County Slightly Above National Risk

Jackson County's composite risk score of 41.92 sits slightly above the national average, earning a "Very Low" rating despite moderate exposure. This northeast Georgia county experiences more natural disaster risk than most U.S. counties but remains manageable overall.

Moderate Risk Within Georgia

Jackson County's 41.92 composite score edges slightly above Georgia's 39.49 state average, placing it in the middle range for the state. Most Georgia counties cluster higher, making Jackson a moderately safe option.

Balanced Risk Among Regional Counties

Jackson County (41.92) sits between safer Jasper County (8.08) and Hart County (35.40) to its west, and higher-risk Henry County (79.36) to the south. This positions Jackson as a moderate-risk area in northeast Georgia's diverse landscape.

Tornado and Earthquake Risks Lead

Tornado risk (69.37) and earthquake risk (67.68) are Jackson County's highest individual hazards, reflecting the county's position in Georgia's active seismic and storm corridor. Flood (47.42) and hurricane (65.21) risks remain notable but less acute.

Earthquake and Wind Protection Essential

Jackson County residents should add earthquake and windstorm coverage to standard homeowners policies to address the county's elevated tornado and seismic exposure. Install a safe room or reinforced shelter, and secure your home's roof and foundation connections.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jackson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    69th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    68th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    65th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jackson County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Jackson County ranks at the 42th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 42th percentile, Jackson County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Jackson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (65th percentile), flood (47th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 69th percentile nationally makes Jackson County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Jackson County at the 68th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. In Jackson County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

Jackson County sits within 2.4 composite points of the Georgia state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.

Is your household prepared for Jackson 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 Jackson County, GA?
Jackson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 42th 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 Jackson County?
Jackson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (69th percentile), earthquake (68th percentile), hurricane (65th percentile), flooding (47th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 69th 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 Jackson County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Jackson County's composite risk percentile is 42th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Jackson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Jackson County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Jackson County's tornado risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Jackson County is at the 47th 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 Jackson County higher risk than average?
Jackson County's composite risk score of 42th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (69th percentile), along with earthquake and hurricane 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

Brooks County

Georgia

+0.2

Very Low

42th percentile

Toombs County

Georgia

+0.7

Very Low

43th percentile

Spalding County

Georgia

-1.0

Very Low

41th 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.

Explore more data for Jackson County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score