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

Ware County Disaster Risk

Ware County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

49th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#61

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Ware County, Georgia

Ware County: Hurricane Threat Dominates

Ware County's composite risk score of 49.36 slightly exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, with an exceptionally high hurricane risk of 87.73. The county's southern location in Georgia places it in the path of Atlantic hurricane systems, making wind and storm surge real concerns.

Georgia's Second-Highest Hurricane Risk

Ware County ranks among Georgia's most hurricane-threatened counties with a risk score of 87.73, second only to a handful of coastal and near-coastal peers. Its composite risk of 49.36 reflects this hurricane exposure combined with moderate wildfire (73.73) and tornado (62.18) hazards.

Higher Hurricane Risk Than South Georgia Peers

Ware County's hurricane risk of 87.73 substantially exceeds nearby Brantley County (68.2) and Charlton County (71.1). Its southeastern Georgia location, combined with exposure to Atlantic tropical systems, makes it uniquely vulnerable compared to inland southern Georgia counties.

Hurricanes and Wildfires Lead Threats

Hurricane risk dominates Ware County's hazard profile at 87.73, making tropical storms and severe coastal weather the primary concern for residents. Wildfire (73.73) is the second-largest threat, while tornadoes (62.18) and earthquakes (66.44) pose moderate additional risks.

Prepare for Hurricane Season

Ware County residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes hurricane/wind coverage, as standard policies often exclude damage from named hurricanes. Create and maintain a hurricane preparedness kit, secure outdoor items, and know your evacuation routes—tropical storms impact the county multiple times per decade.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Ware County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    74th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    66th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Ware County

Risk Verdict

Ware County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 49th percentile across all U.S. counties. Ware County's 49th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Ware County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (66th percentile), tornado (62th percentile), flood (46th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 88th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Ware 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. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 74th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Ware County independent of hurricane season. For Ware 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

A composite score 9.9 points above the Georgia state average puts Ware County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Ware 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 Ware County, GA?
Ware County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 49th 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 Ware County?
Ware County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (88th percentile), wildfire (74th percentile), earthquake (66th percentile), tornado (62th percentile), flooding (46th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 88th 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 Ware County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Ware County's composite risk percentile is 49th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Ware County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Ware County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Ware County's hurricane risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Ware County is at the 46th 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 Ware County higher risk than average?
Ware County's composite risk score of 49th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (88th percentile), along with wildfire and earthquake 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

Baldwin County

Georgia

+0.7

Relatively Low

50th percentile

Appling County

Georgia

+0.9

Relatively Low

50th percentile

Laurens County

Georgia

+1.1

Relatively Low

51th 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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