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

Mitchell County Disaster Risk

Mitchell County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

63th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#40

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mitchell County, Georgia

Mitchell faces above-average natural hazards

Mitchell County scores 63.04 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating but exceeding the national average. Your county experiences notably higher exposure to natural disasters than typical U.S. communities.

Higher risk than most Georgia counties

Mitchell's score of 63.04 significantly exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it in the state's upper-risk tier. This south-central Georgia county faces distinctly elevated hazard exposure compared to most peers.

Highest risk among nearby counties

Mitchell County (63.04) exceeds all nearby competitors—only McIntosh (66.57) scores higher statewide, while Miller (20.80), Meriwether (19.21), and Monroe (18.70) sit far below. Your county's elevated risk stands out in its immediate region.

Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate threats

Tornado risk (81.65) and hurricane risk (89.82) are your dominant concerns, with tornado risk ranking among Georgia's highest. Wildfire risk (56.08) and flood risk (52.83) contribute to a multi-hazard vulnerability typical of rural south Georgia.

Comprehensive storm protection essential

Your 81.65 tornado score demands reliable homeowners coverage with verified wind/storm protection, while the 89.82 hurricane score requires separate wind or hurricane policy review. Flood insurance becomes important if you're within a high-hazard flood zone given your 52.83 flood risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mitchell County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    82th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    56th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Mitchell County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Mitchell County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 63th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Mitchell County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Mitchell County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (56th percentile), flood (53th percentile), earthquake (47th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 90th percentile nationally makes Mitchell County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Mitchell County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Tornado at the 82th percentile nationally is Mitchell County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Mitchell 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

Mitchell County is 23.5 composite risk points above the Georgia average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Mitchell 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 Mitchell County, GA?
Mitchell County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 63th 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 Mitchell County?
Mitchell County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), tornado (82th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), earthquake (47th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th 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 Mitchell County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Mitchell County's composite risk percentile is 63th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Mitchell County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Mitchell County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Mitchell County's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Mitchell County is at the 53th 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 Mitchell County higher risk than average?
Mitchell County's composite risk score of 63th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (90th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Polk County

Georgia

+1.0

Relatively Low

64th percentile

Catoosa County

Georgia

+1.6

Relatively Low

65th percentile

Fayette County

Georgia

-1.8

Relatively Low

61th 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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