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

Oglethorpe County Disaster Risk

Oglethorpe County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#137

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

14th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Oglethorpe County, Georgia

Oglethorpe County has minimal disaster risk

Oglethorpe County scores just 8.11 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the lowest-risk counties in the nation. This exceptional score is only one-fifth of Georgia's state average of 39.49, earning a "very low" risk rating. Residents here experience below-average exposure to virtually all natural hazard types.

Georgia's safest county for disasters

Oglethorpe County ranks as the safest or near-safest of Georgia's 159 counties for natural disaster risk. Its composite score of 8.11 is exceptionally low, nearly five times better than the state average. This protected status reflects favorable geographic positioning and demographic characteristics.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Oglethorpe County (8.11) is substantially safer than nearby Oconee (19.43), Pickens (34.80), and Paulding (69.97) counties. Its risk profile approaches best-case scenarios for Georgia, with all hazard categories below state norms. The county represents one of the most favorable risk environments in the state.

Hurricane risk is the main concern

Oglethorpe County's only notable hazard category is hurricane risk (65.62), though this remains moderate compared to state highs. Flood (13.84) and tornado (28.72) risks are minimal, while wildfire (29.39) and earthquake (44.37) hazards are well below state averages. Overall, the county faces minimal exposure to significant natural disasters.

Focus on routine maintenance and planning

Oglethorpe County's exceptional safety profile means basic homeowners insurance typically provides comprehensive coverage for residents' needs. Maintain gutters, trim tree branches, and keep an emergency kit on hand as standard precautions. Review your policy every few years to ensure coverage aligns with your home's current value.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Oglethorpe County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    66th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    44th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    29th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Oglethorpe County

Risk Verdict

Oglethorpe County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 8th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Oglethorpe County residents can take confidence from a 8th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Oglethorpe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (29th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), flood (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Oglethorpe County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 66th 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. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 44th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Oglethorpe County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Oglethorpe 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, Oglethorpe County's composite score runs 31.4 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Oglethorpe 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 Oglethorpe County, GA?
Oglethorpe County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 8th 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 Oglethorpe County?
Oglethorpe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (66th percentile), earthquake (44th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), flooding (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 66th 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 Oglethorpe County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Oglethorpe County's composite risk percentile is 8th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Oglethorpe County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Oglethorpe County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Oglethorpe County's hurricane risk is at the 66th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Oglethorpe County is at the 14th 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 Oglethorpe County a safe place to live?
Oglethorpe County's composite risk score of 8th 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 66th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Jasper County

Georgia

-0.0

Very Low

8th percentile

Pike County

Georgia

-0.1

Very Low

8th percentile

Long County

Georgia

-0.1

Very Low

8th 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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