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

Pulaski County Disaster Risk

Pulaski County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

18th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#115

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

21th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% 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 28% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pulaski County, Georgia

Pulaski County Ranks Very Low

Pulaski County's composite risk score of 18.16 places it in the Very Low category, sitting comfortably below the national average for multi-hazard exposure. The county benefits from geography that limits simultaneous risk from multiple disaster types.

Well Below Georgia Average

Pulaski County's 18.16 score runs less than half of Georgia's 39.49 average, positioning it among the state's safer counties for natural disasters. This favorable risk profile reflects the county's mid-state location away from major hazard zones.

Safer Than Surrounding Counties

Pulaski County (18.16) maintains lower risk than nearby Putnam County (53.31) and Rabun County (45.29), though it's comparable to Pike County (8.05) and Pierce County (22.68). The county's central location provides natural buffers against extreme coastal and mountain-related hazards.

Hurricane Risk and Wildfire Concern

Pulaski County's primary hazards are hurricane exposure (74.26) and wildfire risk (56.17), representing the county's highest-scoring risk categories. Tornado risk remains moderate at 27.93, making it less of an immediate concern.

Insurance Priorities for Pulaski

Focus homeowners insurance on hurricane protection given the 74.26 hurricane risk rating, and consider wildfire coverage if your property borders forested areas. Standard policies often exclude wind and fire damage, so review your declarations page for specific coverage limits.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pulaski County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    74th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    45th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Pulaski County

Risk Verdict

Pulaski County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 18th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Pulaski County's favorable 18th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Pulaski County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (45th percentile), tornado (28th percentile), flood (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Pulaski County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 74th 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. Wildfire at the 56th percentile nationally is Pulaski County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Pulaski 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, Pulaski County's composite score runs 21.3 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, GA?
Pulaski County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 18th 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 Pulaski County?
Pulaski County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (74th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), earthquake (45th percentile), tornado (28th percentile), flooding (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 74th 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 Pulaski County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Pulaski County's composite risk percentile is 18th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Pulaski County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Pulaski County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Pulaski County's hurricane risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Pulaski County is at the 21th 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 Pulaski County a safe place to live?
Pulaski County's composite risk score of 18th 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 74th 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.