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

Jeff Davis County Disaster Risk

Jeff Davis County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

28th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#92

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 50% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jeff Davis County, Georgia

Jeff Davis County: Below-Average Risk Profile

Jeff Davis County's composite risk score of 28.21 sits well below the national average, earning a "Very Low" rating overall. This south-central Georgia county offers better-than-typical protection from major natural disasters.

Safe Compared to Georgia Average

Jeff Davis County's 28.21 composite score falls comfortably below Georgia's 39.49 state average, ranking it among the safer counties statewide. The county's rural character and moderate population density contribute to lower overall risk exposure.

Protected Versus Surrounding Counties

Jeff Davis County (28.21) significantly outperforms Houston County (70.48) to its north while matching or exceeding safety levels of Irwin County (13.64) to its south. The county benefits from relative geographic isolation.

Hurricane and Wildfire Top Threats

Hurricane risk (83.85) stands notably high for this inland county, reflecting atmospheric circulation patterns affecting south Georgia. Wildfire risk (50.13) and tornado risk (51.40) remain moderate but warrant preparedness attention.

Windstorm Coverage Critical Priority

Despite overall low risk, Jeff Davis County's 83.85 hurricane score demands priority attention to windstorm and hail coverage. Verify your homeowners policy includes these protections, and reinforce roof connections and exterior integrity.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jeff Davis County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    51th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    50th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jeff Davis County

Risk Verdict

Jeff Davis County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 28th percentile nationally. Jeff Davis County residents can take confidence from a 28th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Jeff Davis County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 51th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (50th percentile), wildfire (50th percentile), flood (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 84th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Jeff Davis County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 51th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Jeff Davis County independent of hurricane season. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Jeff Davis County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Jeff Davis County falls 11.3 points below Georgia's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Jeff Davis 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 Jeff Davis County, GA?
Jeff Davis County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 28th 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 Jeff Davis County?
Jeff Davis County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (84th percentile), tornado (51th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), wildfire (50th percentile), flooding (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 84th 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 Jeff Davis County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Jeff Davis County's composite risk percentile is 28th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Jeff Davis County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Jeff Davis County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Jeff Davis County's hurricane risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jeff Davis 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 Jeff Davis County a safe place to live?
Jeff Davis County's composite risk score of 28th 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 84th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Haralson County

Georgia

-0.6

Very Low

28th percentile

Madison County

Georgia

+0.7

Very Low

29th percentile

Lee County

Georgia

+1.2

Very Low

29th 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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