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

Lee County Disaster Risk

Lee County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#90

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% 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

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lee County, Georgia

Lee County: Low Risk, Stronger Than State Average

Lee County scores 29.39 on the composite risk scale, earning Very Low status while sitting 26% below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This positions the county as safer than most Georgia counties, though with higher exposure than the state's safest communities.

Mid-Range Safety Among Georgia Counties

Lee County ranks in the safer tier statewide, with a composite score substantially below the state average but higher than Georgia's safest counties. The county demonstrates solid but not exceptional disaster resilience compared to its peers.

Safer Than Laurens, Similar to Others

Lee County's score of 29.39 significantly outperforms Laurens County (50.51) but trails the region's safest counties like Johnson County (9.26) and Jenkins County (10.75). The county occupies the middle-safety ground within central Georgia.

Tornado and Wildfire Warrant Attention

Tornado risk reaches 66.44 in Lee County—its highest hazard score and substantially above regional averages—while wildfire risk scores 60.21. These two hazards significantly outpace flood and earthquake risks, defining the county's primary preparation needs.

Storm Shelter and Wildfire Defense Priorities

Lee County residents should obtain homeowners insurance with robust tornado and wind coverage, given the county's elevated tornado risk of 66.44. Establish a safe room or storm shelter, maintain defensible space around your property for wildfire protection, and keep emergency supplies accessible during severe weather season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    66th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    60th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lee County

Risk Verdict

Lee County's overall natural disaster score at the 29th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 29th percentile, Lee 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

Hurricane risk is Lee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (60th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), flood (35th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 75th percentile nationally makes Lee County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Lee County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Lee County's tornado exposure at the 66th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Lee County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Lee County's composite risk score sits 10.1 points below the Georgia county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Lee 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 Lee County, GA?
Lee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th 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 Lee County?
Lee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (75th percentile), tornado (66th percentile), wildfire (60th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), flooding (35th 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 Lee County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Lee County's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lee County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Lee County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lee County's hurricane risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lee County is at the 35th 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 Lee County a safe place to live?
Lee County's composite risk score of 29th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Seminole County

Georgia

+0.1

Very Low

29th percentile

Madison County

Georgia

-0.4

Very Low

29th percentile

Jeff Davis County

Georgia

-1.2

Very Low

28th 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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