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

Lamar County Disaster Risk

Lamar County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#142

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 35% 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 40% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lamar County, Georgia

Lamar County: Georgia's Third-Safest Profile

Lamar County scores 7.79 on the composite risk scale, achieving Very Low status and running just 20% of Georgia's state average of 39.49. This exceptional safety rating places Lamar among America's most disaster-resilient counties.

Consistently Safe Across All Hazards

Lamar County ranks near Georgia's safest counties, with a composite score that reflects low exposure across earthquake, wildfire, tornado, and flood risks. The county's well-rounded low profile makes it one of the state's most predictable, safest communities.

Outperforms Many Regional Peers

Lamar County's score of 7.79 ranks favorably against Johnson County (9.26), Jenkins County (10.75), and Jones County (16.38), making it part of the region's safest cluster. The county stands out for balanced, consistently low risk across all hazard types.

Tornado and Wildfire Slightly Elevated

Tornado risk reaches 34.70 and wildfire risk scores 34.86 in Lamar County—the two highest individual hazard scores—though both remain well below national benchmarks. All other hazards score substantially lower, creating a very manageable disaster risk profile.

Standard Coverage Handles Most Risks

Lamar County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with adequate tornado and wildfire provisions, though premiums should remain competitive given the county's low overall risk. Basic storm shelter awareness and annual gutter cleaning provide additional cost-effective protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lamar County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    40th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    35th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lamar County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Lamar County ranks at the 8th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. The 8th percentile national ranking is one lens; Lamar County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lamar County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (35th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), flood (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 65th percentile nationally, Lamar County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Lamar County's earthquake exposure at the 40th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Lamar County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 31.7 points below the Georgia state average, Lamar County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Lamar 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 Lamar County, GA?
Lamar County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 8th 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 Lamar County?
Lamar County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (65th percentile), earthquake (40th percentile), wildfire (35th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), flooding (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 65th 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 Lamar County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Lamar County's composite risk percentile is 8th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lamar County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Lamar County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lamar County's hurricane risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lamar 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 Lamar County a safe place to live?
Lamar County's composite risk score of 8th 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 65th 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.