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

Taylor County Disaster Risk

Taylor County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#131

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

17th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Taylor County, Georgia

Taylor enjoys very low disaster risk nationwide

Taylor County's composite risk score of 10.15 places it in the Very Low category, representing just 26% of Georgia's state average of 39.49. This central Georgia county experiences minimal exposure to most major natural hazards compared to typical U.S. counties.

Ranks among Georgia's safest counties

Taylor's very low composite score of 10.15 positions it in the bottom tier of Georgia's 159 counties for natural disaster risk, with exposure 74% below the state average. Few Georgia counties offer comparable safety profiles.

Taylor's safety contrasts with regional outliers

Taylor's 10.15 score is substantially lower than neighboring Sumter County (53.18) and somewhat below Talbot County (2.86) and Taliaferro County (0.73). The county represents a middle ground among central Georgia's varied risk landscape.

Wildfire and hurricane pose seasonal threats

Wildfire risk reaches 48.00 in Taylor—the highest individual hazard score—though still well below state averages for this threat. Hurricane exposure (67.17) ranks moderately elevated, while tornado (31.97), earthquake (35.85), and flood (16.76) risks all remain below state norms.

Standard homeowners insurance adequately protects

Standard homeowners coverage typically provides sufficient protection for Taylor County residents given the county's very low overall disaster exposure. Verify that your policy includes wind and fire protection, the two most relevant hazards in this low-risk county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Taylor County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    67th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    36th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Taylor County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Taylor County ranks at the 10th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 10th percentile nationally, Taylor 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 Taylor County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (32th percentile), flood (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 67th percentile nationally, Taylor County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 48th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Taylor County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Taylor County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 29.3 points below the Georgia state average, Taylor County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Taylor 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 Taylor County, GA?
Taylor County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Taylor County?
Taylor County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (67th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (32th percentile), flooding (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 67th 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 Taylor County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Taylor County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Taylor County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Taylor County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Taylor County's hurricane risk is at the 67th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Taylor County is at the 17th 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 Taylor County a safe place to live?
Taylor County's composite risk score of 10th 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 67th 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.