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

Tattnall County Disaster Risk

Tattnall County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

68th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#28

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

38th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tattnall County, Georgia

Tattnall faces elevated national disaster risk

Tattnall County's composite risk score of 68.38 places it in the Relatively Low category but well above Georgia's state average of 39.49, indicating substantially higher than typical natural disaster exposure. The coastal plain geography drives significant risk, particularly for hurricane and water-related hazards.

Among Georgia's highest-risk counties

Tattnall ranks in Georgia's top tier for disaster risk, with a composite score 73% higher than the state average. The county faces more natural hazard exposure than most other Georgia counties, driven by its southeastern location.

Tattnall leads region in overall risk exposure

Tattnall's 68.38 score substantially exceeds neighboring Sumter County (53.18), Thomas County (65.97), and all other regional counties. Only Thomas County approaches Tattnall's risk level, making these two the area's most hazard-exposed jurisdictions.

Hurricanes and earthquakes create compound threats

Hurricane risk reaches 93.95 in Tattnall—the single highest score among all five hazard categories—creating acute Atlantic storm exposure during hurricane season. Earthquake risk (71.22) also exceeds state norms, while wildfire (63.07) and tornado (52.32) risks round out a challenging hazard profile.

Comprehensive coverage protects against multiple threats

Tattnall residents should secure robust homeowners insurance with explicit hurricane and wind damage protection, given the 93.95 hurricane risk score. A separate flood insurance policy is essential, as standard homeowners coverage excludes water damage—critical for a county where multiple water-related hazards pose real risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tattnall County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    63th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Tattnall County

Risk Verdict

Tattnall County ranks at the 68th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Tattnall County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (63th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), flood (38th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tattnall County ranks at the 94th 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. Tattnall County's earthquake exposure at the 71th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For extended post-storm outages common in Tattnall 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

Compared to other Georgia counties, Tattnall County runs 28.9 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Tattnall 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 Tattnall County, GA?
Tattnall County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 68th 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 Tattnall County?
Tattnall County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (94th percentile), earthquake (71th percentile), wildfire (63th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), flooding (38th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 94th 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 Tattnall County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Tattnall County's composite risk percentile is 68th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Tattnall County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Tattnall County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Tattnall County's hurricane risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Tattnall County is at the 38th 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 Tattnall County higher risk than average?
Tattnall County's composite risk score of 68th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (94th percentile), along with earthquake and wildfire and tornado 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

Gilmer County

Georgia

-0.3

Relatively Low

68th percentile

Gordon County

Georgia

-1.2

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Clarke County

Georgia

-1.4

Relatively Low

67th 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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