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

Jenkins County Disaster Risk

Jenkins County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#130

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jenkins County, Georgia

Jenkins County: Georgia's Lowest-Risk Profile

Jenkins County scores just 10.75 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and less than 28% of Georgia's state average of 39.49. This county ranks among America's safest from a natural disaster perspective, though no location is entirely risk-free.

Lowest Risk Ranking in Georgia

Jenkins County achieves one of Georgia's lowest composite risk scores, sitting nearly 73% below the state average. This exceptional safety profile reflects consistently low exposure across most major hazard types.

Safest in Its Regional Cluster

Jenkins County's score of 10.75 edges out Johnson County (9.26) as the region's premier low-risk location, significantly outperforming Jones County (16.38) and Jefferson County (25.83). The county's positioning makes it an exceptionally safe choice for disaster-conscious homebuyers in central Georgia.

Earthquake and Hurricane Remain Considerations

While Jenkins County's overall risk is minimal, earthquake risk scores 56.04 and hurricane risk reaches 75.26—the highest percentile scores in this county. These distant hazards pose low practical threat but merit basic awareness.

Standard Coverage Likely Sufficient Here

Jenkins County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and ensure adequate hurricane coverage, given the score of 75.26 on that metric. Consider supplemental earthquake insurance only if rebuilding costs concern you, given the low overall probability of significant seismic activity.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jenkins County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    32th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Jenkins County

Risk Verdict

Jenkins County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 11th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 11th percentile score positions Jenkins County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Jenkins County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (32th percentile), tornado (31th percentile), flood (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jenkins County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 75th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Jenkins County's earthquake exposure at the 56th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Jenkins County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Georgia county average, Jenkins County's composite score runs 28.7 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Jenkins 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 Jenkins County, GA?
Jenkins County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Jenkins County?
Jenkins County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (75th percentile), earthquake (56th percentile), wildfire (32th percentile), tornado (31th percentile), flooding (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 75th 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 Jenkins County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Jenkins County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Jenkins County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Jenkins County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Jenkins County's hurricane risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jenkins County is at the 15th 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 Jenkins County a safe place to live?
Jenkins County's composite risk score of 11th 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 75th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.