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

Monroe County Disaster Risk

Monroe County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#113

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Monroe County, Georgia

Monroe ranks among America's safest

Monroe County scores 18.70 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting significantly below the national average. Your community experiences substantially fewer natural disaster threats than most U.S. counties.

Well below Georgia's average risk

Monroe's score of 18.70 represents less than half of Georgia's state average of 39.49, making it one of the state's safest counties. This central Georgia region enjoys notably low exposure across nearly all hazard categories.

Safest in a low-risk cluster

Monroe County (18.70) sits alongside Meriwether (19.21) and Morgan (19.37) in the region's safest tier, while nearby McDuffie (24.97) and Miller (20.80) remain comparably safe. All five counties cluster in the Very Low category.

Hurricane and wildfire risks most notable

Hurricane risk (64.25) and wildfire risk (53.37) represent your highest scores, though both remain modest in absolute terms. Tornado risk (42.08) and flood risk (31.97) complete a balanced, low-threat profile.

Standard coverage with seasonal preparation

Basic homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for Monroe's low-risk environment, with standard wind and tornado coverage sufficient for your profile. Verify flood coverage only if your property sits in a mapped floodplain; otherwise, seasonal storm preparation suffices.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Monroe County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    49th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Monroe County

Risk Verdict

Monroe County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 19th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Being ranked at the 19th percentile nationally is an advantage for Monroe County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Monroe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (49th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), flood (32th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Monroe County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 64th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Monroe County's wildfire exposure at the 53th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Monroe County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Georgia county average, Monroe County's composite score runs 20.8 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Monroe 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 Monroe County, GA?
Monroe 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 Monroe County?
Monroe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (64th percentile), wildfire (53th percentile), earthquake (49th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), flooding (32th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 64th 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 Monroe County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Monroe 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 Monroe County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Monroe County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Monroe County's hurricane risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Monroe County is at the 32th 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 Monroe County a safe place to live?
Monroe 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 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Brantley County

Georgia

-0.4

Very Low

18th percentile

Meriwether County

Georgia

+0.5

Very Low

19th percentile

Pulaski County

Georgia

-0.5

Very Low

18th 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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