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

Jones County Disaster Risk

Jones County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

16th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#120

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jones County, Georgia

Jones County: Low Risk, Moderate State Standing

Jones County scores 16.38 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating despite running 59% below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This places the county firmly in the safer tier nationally while remaining exposed to some regional hazards that deserve attention.

Middle of Georgia's Safe Tier

Jones County ranks safely within Georgia, though with higher exposure than the state's very safest counties like Johnson (9.26) and Jenkins (10.75). The county's score still significantly outperforms the state average.

More Exposed Than Immediate Neighbors

Jones County's score of 16.38 places it above Jenkins County (10.75) and Johnson County (9.26) but below Jefferson County (25.83) in this central Georgia cluster. The higher composite score reflects elevated wildfire and flood risks compared to neighboring counties.

Wildfire and Flooding Dominate Here

Wildfire risk reaches 60.15 in Jones County—its highest hazard score—while flood risk scores 27.99, creating a dual-threat profile. Tornado risk of 39.98 adds a third consideration for comprehensive preparedness planning.

Prioritize Flood and Wildfire Defenses

Jones County residents should obtain homeowners insurance that explicitly covers both wildfire and flood damage—the latter often requiring a separate policy rider. Create defensible space around your property by clearing brush and dead wood, and ensure gutters stay clear to prevent ember accumulation during wildfire season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jones County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    60th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    47th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jones County

Risk Verdict

At the 16th percentile nationally, Jones County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 16th percentile nationally, Jones County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Jones County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (47th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), flood (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jones County ranks at the 63th 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. Wildfire at the 60th percentile nationally is Jones County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Jones 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 23.1 points below the Georgia state average puts Jones County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Jones 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 Jones County, GA?
Jones County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 16th 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 Jones County?
Jones County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (63th percentile), wildfire (60th percentile), earthquake (47th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), flooding (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 63th 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 Jones County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Jones County's composite risk percentile is 16th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Jones County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Jones County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Jones County's hurricane risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Jones County is at the 28th 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 Jones County a safe place to live?
Jones County's composite risk score of 16th 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 63th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Calhoun County

Georgia

-0.1

Very Low

16th percentile

Terrell County

Georgia

+0.2

Very Low

17th percentile

Turner County

Georgia

+0.2

Very Low

17th 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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