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

Talbot County Disaster Risk

Talbot County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#152

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

10th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% 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 27% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Talbot County, Georgia

Talbot ranks among America's safest counties

Talbot County's composite risk score of 2.86 places it in the Very Low category, far below Georgia's state average of 39.49 and well below the national median. This west-central Georgia county enjoys some of the lowest natural disaster exposure in the United States.

Georgia's third-lowest disaster risk county

Among 159 Georgia counties, Talbot ranks near the very bottom for overall natural hazard exposure, with a composite score 93% lower than the state average. Only a handful of Georgia counties maintain risk levels this low.

Talbot's safety stands out in the region

Talbot's 2.86 score makes it dramatically safer than neighboring Sumter County (53.18) and far lower than Terrell County (16.54) and Telfair County (23.54). The county occupies a notably protective geographic position within Georgia's hazard landscape.

Wildfire poses the main local concern

Wildfire risk reaches 40.46 in Talbot—the highest individual hazard score—though still well below state norms for this threat. All other hazards, including tornado (26.65), earthquake (27.29), flood (9.76), and hurricane (53.57), remain substantially lower than regional and state averages.

Standard coverage suits low-risk Talbot

Standard homeowners insurance is typically sufficient for Talbot County residents given the minimal disaster exposure across most hazard types. A basic policy protecting against fire, wind, and liability provides adequate coverage for this exceptionally safe county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Talbot County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    54th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    40th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    27th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Talbot County

Risk Verdict

Talbot County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 3th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Talbot County can use the 3th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Talbot County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 54th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (27th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), flood (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Talbot County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 54th 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, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 40th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Talbot County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Talbot 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, Talbot County's composite score runs 36.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Talbot 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 Talbot County, GA?
Talbot County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Talbot County?
Talbot County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (54th percentile), wildfire (40th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), flooding (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 54th 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 Talbot County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Talbot County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Talbot County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Talbot County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Talbot County's hurricane risk is at the 54th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Talbot County is at the 10th 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 Talbot County a safe place to live?
Talbot County's composite risk score of 3th 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 54th 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.