Lowndes County Disaster Risk
Lowndes County, Georgia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
73th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#22
of 159 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
70th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lowndes County, Georgia
Lowndes faces substantial multi-hazard exposure
Lowndes County scores 72.65 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low risk category but significantly above Georgia's state average of 39.49. This elevated composite reflects concurrent high exposure to hurricanes (91.16), tornados (73.76), and flooding (70.26). Compared to typical U.S. counties, Lowndes faces decidedly above-average natural disaster vulnerability.
Among Georgia's highest-risk counties
Lowndes County's composite score of 72.65 ranks it among Georgia's highest-risk counties, nearly double the state average of 39.49. The county exhibits consistently elevated exposure across multiple hazard categories, with hurricane, tornado, and flood risks all exceeding 70. This multi-dimensional risk profile positions Lowndes in a critical tier of Georgia disaster vulnerability.
Lowndes shares high-risk profile with Liberty
Lowndes County's 72.65 score is comparable to Liberty County (83.05), making both standouts among the eight profiled counties for elevated composite risk. Unlike lower-risk neighbors such as Madison County (28.94) and Marion County (6.71), Lowndes occupies a high-vulnerability tier. The county's geography exposes it to multiple concurrent disaster pathways.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods converge
Lowndes County faces a dangerous trinity: hurricane risk at 91.16, tornado risk at 73.76, and flood risk at 70.26—three highest-consequence hazards firing simultaneously. Wildfire risk at 72.52 adds seasonal compound danger, while earthquake risk of 66.67 represents an additional baseline concern. Residents confront multiple severe hazards across all seasons.
Comprehensive multi-hazard coverage essential
Lowndes County's extreme hurricane and tornado exposure demands that standard homeowners policies include robust wind and hail coverage—non-negotiable additions in this county. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program addresses the county's 70.26 flood risk, particularly critical given tornado-driven flooding. Consult a local agent to ensure your coverage aligns with Lowndes's multi-faceted risk landscape.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lowndes County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lowndes County
Risk Verdict
Lowndes County's FEMA risk score places it at the 73th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Lowndes County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (73th percentile), flood (70th percentile), earthquake (67th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 91th percentile nationally, Lowndes 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. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 74th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Lowndes County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Lowndes County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
The Georgia county average is 33.2 composite points below Lowndes County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Lowndes County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lowndes County, GA?
What types of natural hazards affect Lowndes County?
How does Lowndes County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Is Lowndes County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Lowndes County higher risk than average?
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.