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

Wilkinson County Disaster Risk

Wilkinson County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#150

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

9th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% 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

Very Low

Higher than 17% 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 63% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wilkinson County, Georgia

Wilkinson is Georgia's safest county

Wilkinson County's composite risk score of 4.64 ranks among the lowest in Georgia and well below the national average, earning the very low rating. The county faces minimal exposure to most major natural disaster categories.

Georgia's lowest-risk county

Wilkinson County ranks as one of Georgia's safest counties by composite risk, placing it in the very low category and substantially below the state average of 39.49. The county's rural location in central Georgia provides exceptional protection from multiple hazard types.

Safest among nearby counties surveyed

Wilkinson County's 4.64 score is the lowest among the counties examined, offering significantly better risk profile than Wheeler (6.42), Wilkes (12.91), and Wilcox (13.17). The county's central location provides optimal distance from major disaster corridors.

Wildfire and hurricane present minimal risk

Even Wilkinson County's highest-scoring hazards—wildfire (41.89) and hurricane (63.20)—remain relatively modest compared to state and national standards. Tornado risk (16.57) is particularly low, reflecting the county's favorable geographic positioning.

Standard coverage meets most needs

Wilkinson County residents can rely on standard homeowner's insurance for most natural hazard protection, given the county's exceptionally low risk profile. Review your policy annually to ensure coverage remains appropriate, but comprehensive wind and flood riders are typically lower-priority investments here.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wilkinson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    42th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    36th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wilkinson County

Risk Verdict

Wilkinson County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 5th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Wilkinson County's 5th 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 Wilkinson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (17th percentile), flood (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wilkinson County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 63th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Wildfire at the 42th percentile nationally is Wilkinson County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Wilkinson County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Georgia county average, Wilkinson County's composite score runs 34.8 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Wilkinson 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 Wilkinson County, GA?
Wilkinson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th 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 Wilkinson County?
Wilkinson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (63th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (17th percentile), flooding (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 63th 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 Wilkinson County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Wilkinson County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wilkinson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Wilkinson County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Wilkinson County's hurricane risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wilkinson County is at the 9th 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 Wilkinson County a safe place to live?
Wilkinson County's composite risk score of 5th 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 63th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Warren County

Georgia

+0.7

Very Low

5th percentile

Crawford County

Georgia

-0.7

Very Low

4th percentile

Lincoln County

Georgia

+0.9

Very Low

6th 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.

Explore more data for Wilkinson County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score