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

Rabun County Disaster Risk

Rabun County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

45th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#64

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

58th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Rabun County, Georgia

Rabun County's Moderate Exposure

Rabun County's composite risk score of 45.29 earns a Relatively Low rating nationally while exceeding the U.S. average, indicating above-average exposure to natural disasters. The county faces meaningful but manageable combined hazard risk.

Above Georgia's Average Risk

Rabun County's 45.29 score exceeds Georgia's 39.49 average by about 15%, placing it in the moderate-risk tier for the state. The county's mountainous terrain in northeast Georgia contributes to elevated exposure across multiple hazard categories.

Rabun in Regional Context

Rabun County (45.29) faces significantly higher risk than Pike (8.05), Quitman (8.33), and Pulaski (18.16), but lower than Polk (64.06) and Putnam (53.31). Its northeast Georgia mountain position explains the elevation above state average.

Wildfire and Flood Dominate

Rabun County confronts substantial wildfire risk (64.06) and flood risk (58.11), reflecting the county's mountainous geography and forest coverage. Earthquake risk (50.32) and hurricane risk (61.58) also warrant attention in preparedness planning.

Wildfire and Flood Insurance Priority

Rabun County homeowners should prioritize wildfire-resistant property improvements and flood insurance, as these represent the county's top hazards with scores exceeding 58. Review your policy for coverage in areas prone to mudslides and debris flow, common mountain hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Rabun County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    58th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Rabun County

Risk Verdict

Rabun County's FEMA risk score places it at the 45th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. Rabun County residents can take confidence from a 45th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Rabun County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (58th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), tornado (45th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Rabun County sits at the 64th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Rabun County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary hurricane exposure at the 62th percentile nationally means Rabun County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Rabun County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

The Georgia county average is 5.8 composite points below Rabun County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Rabun 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 Rabun County, GA?
Rabun County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 45th 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 Rabun County?
Rabun County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (64th percentile), hurricane (62th percentile), flooding (58th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), tornado (45th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 64th 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 Rabun County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Rabun County's composite risk percentile is 45th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Rabun County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Rabun County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Rabun County's wildfire risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Rabun County is at the 58th 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.
Why is Rabun County higher risk than average?
Rabun County's composite risk score of 45th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (64th percentile), along with hurricane and flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Barrow County

Georgia

+0.3

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Lumpkin County

Georgia

-0.4

Relatively Low

45th percentile

White County

Georgia

+0.4

Relatively Low

46th 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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