riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

White County Disaster Risk

White County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

46th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#62

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 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Risk Advisory: White County

Risk Verdict

White County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 46th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for White County, scoring in the 61th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 60th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (58th), wildfire (51th), flood (46th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, White County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

White County is significantly riskier than the average county in Georgia. Its composite risk score is 6.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in White County, GA?
White County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 46th 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 White County?
White County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (61th percentile), earthquake (60th percentile), hurricane (58th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile), flooding (46th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 61th 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 White County risk compare to the Georgia average?
White County's composite risk percentile is 46th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means White County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is White County at risk for tornado?
Yes, White County's tornado risk is at the 61th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, White 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 White County higher risk than average?
White County's composite risk score of 46th percentile is above the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (61th percentile), along with earthquake and hurricane and wildfire 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

Barrow County

Georgia

-0.1

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Rabun County

Georgia

-0.4

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Lumpkin County

Georgia

-0.8

Relatively Low

45th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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