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

Muscogee County Disaster Risk

Muscogee County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

82th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

87th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Muscogee County, Georgia

Muscogee County faces elevated disaster risk

Muscogee County's composite risk score of 81.55 places it well above the national average, earning a "relatively moderate" risk rating. This county experiences higher-than-typical exposure across nearly all hazard types, with flood (87.28) and hurricane (82.31) risks notably elevated. The county's risk profile is substantially higher than Georgia's state average of 39.49.

Among Georgia's highest-risk counties

Muscogee County ranks in the top tier of Georgia's 159 counties for natural disaster risk, driven primarily by flood and hurricane exposure. Its composite score of 81.55 more than doubles the state average, placing it in the highest-risk cohort statewide. This elevated ranking reflects the county's geographic and demographic vulnerability factors.

Significantly riskier than surrounding areas

Muscogee County's risk profile (81.55) far exceeds nearby counties like Peach (22.49), Oconee (19.43), and Pickens (34.80). Its flood risk of 87.28 stands out as particularly acute compared to neighbors, reflecting its position along major waterways. The county faces markedly higher exposure to cascading hazards than most surrounding communities.

Flooding and hurricanes dominate threat landscape

Flood risk (87.28) and hurricane risk (82.31) are Muscogee County's primary concerns, both well above state and national averages. Earthquake risk (84.35) also ranks notably high, creating a compound vulnerability profile. Residents face genuine exposure to multiple, potentially overlapping natural hazards.

Flood insurance is essential coverage

Muscogee County residents must prioritize flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage and the county's flood risk is acute. Elevate critical systems, seal basement walls, and maintain flood-resistant landscaping to reduce water intrusion risk. Given elevated hurricane exposure, ensure your policy includes wind damage coverage and verify that your roof meets current wind-resistance standards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Muscogee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    84th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    82th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Muscogee County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard risk in Muscogee County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 82th. Muscogee County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Muscogee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (82th percentile), tornado (71th percentile), wildfire (61th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 87th percentile nationally, Muscogee County households should build a go-bag that includes important documents, medications, and supplies to sustain the family for at least three days if evacuation is needed. Alongside flooding, earthquake exposure at the 84th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. A waterproof container for documents (insurance policies, ID, prescriptions) and a clear household communication plan for when phone networks are congested are the two highest-value low-cost preparedness steps for Muscogee County households.

Regional Context

A composite score 42.1 points above the Georgia state average puts Muscogee County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Muscogee 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 Muscogee County, GA?
Muscogee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 82th 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 Muscogee County?
Muscogee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (87th percentile), earthquake (84th percentile), hurricane (82th percentile), tornado (71th percentile), wildfire (61th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 87th 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 Muscogee County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Muscogee County's composite risk percentile is 82th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Muscogee County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Muscogee County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Muscogee County's flooding risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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 Muscogee County higher risk than average?
Muscogee County's composite risk score of 82th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (87th percentile), along with earthquake and hurricane and tornado and wildfire 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.