riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Pickens County Disaster Risk

Pickens County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#83

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

45th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Pickens County

Risk Verdict

Pickens County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 35th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Pickens County, scoring in the 62th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 60th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (59th), flood (45th), hurricane (41th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Pickens County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Pickens County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Georgia. Its composite risk score is within 4.7 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Georgia as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Pickens County, GA?
Pickens County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Pickens County?
Pickens County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (62th percentile), wildfire (60th percentile), earthquake (59th percentile), flooding (45th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 62th 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 Pickens County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Pickens County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Pickens County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Pickens County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Pickens County's tornado risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Pickens County is at the 45th 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 Pickens County a safe place to live?
Pickens County's composite risk score of 35th 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 tornado at the 62th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Cook County

Georgia

+0.0

Very Low

35th percentile

Hart County

Georgia

+0.6

Very Low

35th percentile

Stephens County

Georgia

-1.4

Very Low

33th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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