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

Lumpkin County Disaster Risk

Lumpkin County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

45th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#65

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

51th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lumpkin County, Georgia

Lumpkin sits slightly above Georgia average

Lumpkin County scores 44.91 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low risk category and just above Georgia's state average of 39.49. This positioning reflects moderate multi-hazard exposure with particular elevation in tornado risk (61.74) and flood risk (50.51). Compared to national averages, Lumpkin faces somewhat elevated but manageable natural disaster vulnerability.

Middle-tier risk within Georgia counties

Lumpkin County's composite score of 44.91 sits modestly above Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it in the state's middle risk tier. The county shows relative balance across hazards rather than extreme concentration in any single type, with tornado and flood risks leading at 61.74 and 50.51 respectively. This moderate profile distinguishes Lumpkin from both the state's safest and most-vulnerable counties.

Moderate risk among profiled counties

Lumpkin County's 44.91 score positions it squarely between low-risk neighbors like Madison County (28.94) and high-risk counties like Lowndes County (72.65). Among the eight profiled counties, Lumpkin represents a middle-ground risk profile—higher than Marion (6.71) or Long (8.02), but substantially lower than Liberty (83.05). This positioning reflects Lumpkin's geography and exposure diversity.

Tornadoes and flooding lead Lumpkin's risks

Lumpkin County faces tornado risk at 61.74—its highest individual hazard score—compounded by flood risk at 50.51 that creates dangerous seasonal convergence during spring storms. Earthquake risk at 57.63 and wildfire risk at 45.99 add secondary but meaningful concerns, while hurricane risk at 43.05 remains more modest. Spring and early summer warrant particular vigilance for tornado and flood activity.

Ensure tornado and flood coverage

Lumpkin County's 61.74 tornado risk means homeowners should verify their policies include comprehensive wind and hail protection, as standard policies sometimes exclude tornado damage. Flood insurance becomes essential given the county's 50.51 flood risk, particularly for properties in flood-prone areas. Annual policy reviews with a local agent ensure your coverage addresses Lumpkin's specific tornado and flood exposures.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lumpkin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    51th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lumpkin County

Risk Verdict

Lumpkin County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 45th percentile across all U.S. counties. Being ranked at the 45th percentile nationally is an advantage for Lumpkin County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Lumpkin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (51th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 62th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Lumpkin County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Lumpkin County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Lumpkin County at the 58th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. Lumpkin County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

A composite score 5.4 points above the Georgia state average puts Lumpkin County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin County, GA?
Lumpkin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 45th 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 Lumpkin County?
Lumpkin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (62th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), flooding (51th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 62th 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 Lumpkin County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Lumpkin County's composite risk percentile is 45th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lumpkin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Lumpkin County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Lumpkin County's tornado risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lumpkin County is at the 51th 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.
Why is Lumpkin County higher risk than average?
Lumpkin County's composite risk score of 45th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (62th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.