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

Peach County Disaster Risk

Peach County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

22th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#102

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

23th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% 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

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Peach County, Georgia

Peach County enjoys very low disaster risk

Peach County scores 22.49 on the composite risk scale, placing it well below the national average and earning a "very low" risk rating. This score is less than 57% of Georgia's state average of 39.49, indicating substantially below-average exposure to natural hazards. The county represents one of the safer regions in Georgia.

Among Georgia's lowest-risk counties

Peach County ranks in the bottom tier of Georgia's 159 counties for natural disaster risk, placing it among the state's safest communities. Its composite score of 22.49 is less than three-fifths of the state average. The county's favorable geographic positioning contributes to this protected status.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Peach County (22.49) is notably safer than nearby Muscogee (81.55), Newton (50.64), and Paulding (69.97) counties. It compares favorably to Oconee County (19.43) and significantly exceeds the safety of Pickens County (34.80). Peach represents one of the lower-risk counties in central Georgia.

Hurricane exposure is the main outlier

Peach County's most notable hazard is hurricane risk (70.76), which stands above state norms despite the county's overall low-risk profile. Wildfire risk (56.33) is secondary, while flood (22.71), tornado (27.04), earthquake (51.56) risks remain well-controlled. The county's primary exposure stems from tropical weather systems.

Standard insurance with hurricane awareness

Peach County residents typically need only standard homeowners insurance, as the county's overall risk remains minimal. Ensure your policy includes windstorm coverage given the elevated hurricane risk, and verify your roof meets current wind-resistance standards. Maintain gutters and trim tree branches to minimize wind-damage vulnerability during hurricane season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Peach County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    71th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    52th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Peach County

Risk Verdict

At the 22th percentile nationally, Peach County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A 22th percentile score positions Peach County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Peach County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 71th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (52th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), flood (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Peach County ranks at the 71th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Peach County's wildfire exposure at the 56th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For extended post-storm outages common in Peach County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

A composite score 17.0 points below the Georgia state average puts Peach County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Peach 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 Peach County, GA?
Peach County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 22th 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 Peach County?
Peach County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (71th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), earthquake (52th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), flooding (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 71th 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 Peach County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Peach County's composite risk percentile is 22th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Peach County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Peach County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Peach County's hurricane risk is at the 71th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Peach County is at the 23th 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 Peach County a safe place to live?
Peach County's composite risk score of 22th 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 71th 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.