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

Schley County Disaster Risk

Schley County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#158

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Schley County, Georgia

Schley County enjoys very low risk profile

Schley County's composite risk score of just 0.60 places it among the safest areas in the nation, with a very low risk rating across most hazard categories. This exceptional safety reflects minimal exposure to the full spectrum of natural disasters.

Georgia's safest county for disasters

Schley County's score of 0.60 dramatically undercuts Georgia's average of 39.49, making it the state's most protected area from natural hazards. Residents enjoy risk levels that are roughly 65 times lower than the state mean.

Standout safety among surrounding counties

Schley County's minimal hazard exposure contrasts sharply with nearby areas, making it a notable refuge from Georgia's typical disaster pressures. Even its highest-scoring risk category—hurricane at 51.65—remains below state average.

Hurricane risk is only meaningful exposure

While Schley County faces remarkably low overall risk, hurricane exposure of 51.65 remains its primary concern due to Gulf Coast storm potential. Flood, tornado, and earthquake risks all remain minimal, making the county exceptionally resilient.

Standard insurance provides solid protection

Schley County's low-risk environment means standard homeowners insurance offers adequate coverage for most residents, though flood and hurricane riders deserve consideration during Atlantic storm season. Basic tornado awareness and a weather radio complete a practical household preparedness strategy.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Schley County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    52th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    22th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    20th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Schley County

Risk Verdict

Schley County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 1th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 1th percentile nationally, Schley County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Schley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 52th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 22th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (20th percentile), tornado (14th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Schley County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 52th 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. Schley County's wildfire exposure at the 22th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Schley 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, Schley County's composite score runs 38.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Schley 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 Schley County, GA?
Schley County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Schley County?
Schley County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (52th percentile), wildfire (22th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile), tornado (14th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 52th 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 Schley County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Schley County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Schley County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Schley County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Schley County's hurricane risk is at the 52th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Schley County is at the 2th 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 Schley County a safe place to live?
Schley County's composite risk score of 1th 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 52th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Echols County

Georgia

-0.1

Very Low

1th percentile

Taliaferro County

Georgia

+0.1

Very Low

1th percentile

Glascock County

Georgia

+0.3

Very Low

1th 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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