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

Telfair County Disaster Risk

Telfair County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

24th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#100

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% 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 49% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Telfair County, Georgia

Telfair maintains low national disaster risk

Telfair County's composite risk score of 23.54 places it in the Very Low category, representing just 60% of Georgia's state average of 39.49. This south-central Georgia county enjoys below-average natural disaster exposure compared to most U.S. counties.

Well below Georgia's average risk exposure

Telfair ranks comfortably in Georgia's safer counties, with a composite score 40% below the state average. The county experiences notably lower hazard exposure than most other Georgia jurisdictions.

Telfair balances risk among regional peers

Telfair's 23.54 score falls between Talbot County (2.86) and neighboring Terrell County (16.54), positioning it as a moderate-risk area within a region of generally low exposure. The county's profile differs substantially from higher-risk Tattnall (68.38) to the east.

Hurricanes and tornadoes drive most risk

Hurricane risk reaches 80.64 in Telfair—well above state norms—creating the county's primary seasonal threat during Atlantic storm season. Tornado risk (52.23) also moderately exceeds state averages, while flood (27.80), wildfire (45.29), and earthquake (48.89) risks remain relatively moderate.

Hurricane-focused coverage recommended

Telfair County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance with comprehensive hurricane and wind damage protection, given the 80.64 hurricane risk score. A separate flood insurance policy provides important additional coverage during Atlantic hurricane season and spring severe weather periods.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Telfair County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    49th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Telfair County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Telfair County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 24th percentile. The 24th percentile national ranking is one lens; Telfair County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Telfair County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (49th percentile), wildfire (45th percentile), flood (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 81th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Telfair County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Tornado at the 52th percentile nationally is Telfair County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For Telfair County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Telfair County is 16.0 composite risk points below the Georgia state mean, meaning most other Georgia counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Telfair 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 Telfair County, GA?
Telfair County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 24th 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 Telfair County?
Telfair County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (81th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), earthquake (49th percentile), wildfire (45th percentile), flooding (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 81th 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 Telfair County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Telfair County's composite risk percentile is 24th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Telfair County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Telfair County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Telfair County's hurricane risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Telfair County is at the 28th 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 Telfair County a safe place to live?
Telfair County's composite risk score of 24th 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 81th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Washington County

Georgia

+0.2

Very Low

24th percentile

Pierce County

Georgia

-0.9

Very Low

23th percentile

Peach County

Georgia

-1.0

Very Low

22th 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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