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

Madison County Disaster Risk

Madison County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#91

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

34th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Madison County, Georgia

Madison County ranks among nation's safest

Madison County scores 28.94 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low risk category and below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This low score reflects diversified, moderate exposure across all hazard types—no single disaster type dominates the risk profile. Compared to national averages, Madison enjoys substantially below-average natural disaster vulnerability.

Georgia's safer counties

Madison County's composite score of 28.94 ranks it well below Georgia's state average of 39.49, positioning Madison among the state's safest counties. Individual hazard scores remain consistently moderate, ranging from wildfire risk at 29.74 to earthquake risk at 61.61—no extreme concentrations. This balance and below-average positioning make Madison a secure location within Georgia.

Very low-risk tier with slight variation

Madison County's 28.94 score places it in the very low-risk group alongside Marion County (6.71), Long County (8.02), and Lincoln County (5.53), though higher than those ultra-safe peers. Madison's score reflects slightly more elevation in specific hazards—particularly earthquake (61.61) and tornado (58.52)—than nearby Marion or Long. Still, Madison remains solidly in Georgia's safest counties tier.

Earthquake and tornado warrant attention

Madison County's most elevated individual scores are earthquake risk at 61.61 and tornado risk at 58.52—both still moderate in absolute context but the county's primary concerns. Hurricane risk at 69.34 and wildfire risk at 29.74 round out a relatively balanced hazard portfolio, while flood risk at 34.41 remains manageable. These secondary concerns pose limited acute threat compared to higher-risk counties.

Standard coverage with selective enhancement

Madison County's overall very low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate baseline protection for most residents. However, given the county's slightly elevated earthquake (61.61) and tornado (58.52) risks, verify that your policy includes appropriate wind and hail coverage. Annual review with your agent ensures optimal protection without over-insuring in this low-risk environment.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Madison County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    69th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    59th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Madison County

Risk Verdict

Madison County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 29th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Madison County's favorable 29th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Madison County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (59th percentile), flood (34th percentile), wildfire (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Madison County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 69th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Madison County's earthquake exposure at the 62th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Madison County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The Georgia county average exceeds Madison County's score by 10.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Madison 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 Madison County, GA?
Madison 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 Madison County?
Madison County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (69th percentile), earthquake (62th percentile), tornado (59th percentile), flooding (34th percentile), wildfire (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 69th 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 Madison County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Madison 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 Madison County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Madison County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Madison County's hurricane risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Madison County is at the 34th 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 Madison County a safe place to live?
Madison 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 69th 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.