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

Terrell County Disaster Risk

Terrell County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

17th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#119

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Terrell County, Georgia

Terrell maintains well-below-average risk

Terrell County's composite risk score of 16.54 places it in the Very Low category, representing just 42% of Georgia's state average of 39.49. This southwest Georgia county experiences substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most U.S. jurisdictions.

Georgia's lower-risk counties

Terrell ranks in Georgia's safer half, with a composite score 58% below the state average of 39.49. The county's natural hazard profile positions it well below the typical Georgia county for disaster risk.

Terrell offers moderate safety in the region

Terrell's 16.54 score exceeds the exceptional safety of Taliaferro (0.73) and Talbot (2.86) but remains well below Sumter (53.18) and Tattnall (68.38). The county occupies a protective middle ground within southwest Georgia's hazard landscape.

Hurricane and tornado pose seasonal concerns

Hurricane risk reaches 73.51 in Terrell—the highest individual hazard score and well above state norms—making Atlantic storms the primary seasonal threat. Tornado risk (50.13) also moderately exceeds state averages, while flood (12.88), wildfire (41.51), and earthquake (40.08) risks remain below regional levels.

Hurricane and wind protection advised

Terrell County residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes comprehensive hurricane and wind damage coverage, reflecting the 73.51 hurricane risk score. A separate flood insurance policy provides valuable protection during peak Atlantic hurricane season and spring storms.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Terrell County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    74th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    50th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    42th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Terrell County

Risk Verdict

Terrell County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 17th percentile nationally. Even at the 17th percentile, Terrell County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Terrell County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (42th percentile), earthquake (40th percentile), flood (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 74th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Terrell County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Terrell County's tornado exposure at the 50th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Terrell County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Terrell County falls 23.0 points below Georgia's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Terrell 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 Terrell County, GA?
Terrell County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 17th 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 Terrell County?
Terrell County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (74th percentile), tornado (50th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), earthquake (40th percentile), flooding (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 74th 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 Terrell County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Terrell County's composite risk percentile is 17th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Terrell County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Terrell County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Terrell County's hurricane risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Terrell County is at the 13th 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 Terrell County a safe place to live?
Terrell County's composite risk score of 17th 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 74th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Turner County

Georgia

+0.1

Very Low

17th percentile

Jones County

Georgia

-0.2

Very Low

16th percentile

Calhoun County

Georgia

-0.2

Very Low

16th 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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