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

Quitman County Disaster Risk

Quitman County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#136

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Quitman County, Georgia

Quitman County Among Safest

Quitman County's composite risk score of 8.33 ranks it in the Very Low category nationally, placing it among the safest U.S. counties for multi-hazard exposure. The county's geography provides exceptional natural protection against most disaster types.

Georgia's Second-Safest County

Quitman County scores 8.33 compared to Georgia's 39.49 average, making it one of only two counties in this analysis (along with Pike) at the state's safest tier. The county's low-risk designation reflects its southwestern location and terrain characteristics.

Quitman's Exceptional Safety

Quitman County (8.33) ties Pike County (8.05) as Georgia's lowest-risk counties, far outperforming nearby Pulaski County (18.16) and Pierce County (22.68). This advantageous positioning makes Quitman an outlier for disaster safety in the region.

Hurricane Is Quitman's Main Concern

Hurricane risk (62.66) represents Quitman County's single highest hazard, though all other risk categories remain exceptionally low. Flood risk (4.71) and earthquake risk (17.56) rank among the lowest in the state.

Focused Coverage for Quitman

While Quitman County's overall risk is exceptional, homeowners should still carry hurricane coverage given the 62.66 hurricane risk rating despite the county's distance from the coast. Standard homeowners policies may provide adequate baseline protection; verify that wind coverage extends to hurricane-force winds.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Quitman County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    40th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    28th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Quitman County

Risk Verdict

At the 8th percentile nationally, Quitman County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Quitman County's 8th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Quitman County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (28th percentile), earthquake (18th percentile), flood (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Quitman County ranks at the 63th 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. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 40th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Quitman County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Quitman 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 31.2 points below the Georgia state average puts Quitman County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Quitman 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 Quitman County, GA?
Quitman 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 Quitman County?
Quitman County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (63th percentile), wildfire (40th percentile), tornado (28th percentile), earthquake (18th percentile), flooding (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 63th 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 Quitman County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Quitman 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 Quitman County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Quitman County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Quitman County's hurricane risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Quitman County is at the 5th 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 Quitman County a safe place to live?
Quitman 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 63th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Clay County

Georgia

+0.1

Very Low

8th percentile

Twiggs County

Georgia

+0.2

Very Low

8th percentile

Oglethorpe County

Georgia

-0.2

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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