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

Meriwether County Disaster Risk

Meriwether County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#112

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 45% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Meriwether County, Georgia

Meriwether ranks among safest counties

Meriwether County scores 19.21 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting well below the national average. Your community experiences substantially fewer natural disaster threats than most American counties.

Well below Georgia's risk average

Meriwether's score of 19.21 is less than half Georgia's state average of 39.49, making it one of the state's safest counties. This central Georgia region enjoys relatively low exposure across all hazard categories.

Among the region's lowest-risk counties

Meriwether (19.21) sits alongside Monroe County (18.70) and Morgan County (19.37) in the safest tier, while McDuffie County (24.97) represents your slightly higher-risk neighbor. All four counties cluster in the Very Low category.

Hurricane and tornado risks most elevated

Hurricane risk (53.78) and tornado risk (45.07) represent your highest scores, though both remain modest compared to coastal Georgia counties. Wildfire risk at 44.69 and flood risk at 35.27 complete a relatively balanced, low-threat profile.

Standard insurance plus weather prep

Basic homeowners insurance sufficiently covers tornado damage in Meriwether's low-risk environment, but verify flood coverage separately if you live in a mapped floodplain. Maintain a home emergency kit and severe weather plan as standard precaution.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Meriwether County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    54th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    50th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    45th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Meriwether County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Meriwether County ranks at the 19th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Meriwether County's 19th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Meriwether County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 54th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (45th percentile), wildfire (45th percentile), flood (35th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 54th percentile nationally, Meriwether 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. Earthquake at the 50th percentile nationally is Meriwether County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Meriwether County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 20.3 points below the Georgia state average, Meriwether County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Meriwether 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 Meriwether County, GA?
Meriwether County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Meriwether County?
Meriwether County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (54th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), tornado (45th percentile), wildfire (45th percentile), flooding (35th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 54th 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 Meriwether County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Meriwether County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Meriwether County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Meriwether County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Meriwether County's hurricane risk is at the 54th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Meriwether 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 Meriwether County a safe place to live?
Meriwether County's composite risk score of 19th 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 54th 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.