HazardFacts

All states › Georgia › Brantley County

Natural hazard risk in Brantley County, Georgia

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Very Low (score 18.2 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$7.0 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1977
21[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$426,000[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
8[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index rates the overall natural hazard risk for Brantley County, Georgia, Very Low compared with other US counties, with a Risk Index score of 18.2 out of 100[5]. Within the county, the hazards with the highest FEMA scores are hurricane, wildfire and earthquake[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA's National Risk Index estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Brantley County at $7.0 million a year, rated Very Low[1]. Hurricane accounts for the largest single share, with an Expected Annual Loss of $3.1 million a year[7], followed by inland flooding at $2.0 million a year[8]. This is FEMA's estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid, and it does not predict next year's losses[9]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability Relatively Low (score 34.2), a measure of how susceptible social groups are to harm from hazards[10]. FEMA rates Community Resilience Relatively Low (score 31.2), a measure of a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[11].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
HurricaneRelatively Moderate$3.1 million[7]
WildfireRelatively Low$152,000[12]
EarthquakeVery Low$174,000[13]
Heat WaveRelatively Low$232,000[14]
DroughtRelatively Low$64,000[15]
LightningRelatively Low$142,000[16]
Cold WaveRelatively Low$489,000[17]
TornadoRelatively Low$544,000[18]
Ice StormVery Low$17,000[19]
Coastal FloodingVery Low$316[20]
Inland FloodingVery Low$2.0 million[8]
Strong WindVery Low$99,000[21]
HailVery Low$28,000[22]
LandslideVery Low$15[23]
Winter WeatherVery Low$4,976[24]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, tsunami, volcanic activity[25].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Low34.2[10]
Community resilienceRelatively Low31.2[11]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk Very Low (score 15.8 of 100)[8] and coastal flooding risk Very Low (score 20.2 of 100) for Brantley County[20]. OpenFEMA data show 69 residential flood insurance contracts in force out of 8,584 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.8%, as of 2026-08-03[26]. A HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA records counts 23 NFIP claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, with $426,000 paid in total, and 2009 had the most paid claims (16)[3].

Measure Value
Coastal Flooding, FEMA risk rating[20] Very Low, $316 expected loss a year
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[8] Very Low, $2.0 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[26] 69 of 8,584 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[26] 461, of which 55 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 23 filed, $426,000 paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[27]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 21 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Brantley County since 1977, including 10 for hurricanes[2]. The most recent is FM-5630-GA, the Highway 82 Fire, declared 2026-04-22[28]. NOAA's tornado database records 8 tornadoes in the county from 1950 to 2024, with the strongest rated EF2 and none rated F3/EF3 or stronger[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Brantley County, since 1977
Incident type Declarations
Hurricane[2] 10
Tropical Storm[2] 3
Fire[2] 3
Severe Storm[2] 2
Tornado[2] 1
Snowstorm[2] 1
Drought[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
FM-5630-GA[28] Highway 82 Fire 2026-04-22
DR-4830-GA[28] Hurricane Helene 2024-09-30
EM-3616-GA[28] Hurricane Helene 2024-09-26
DR-4821-GA[28] Tropical Storm Debby 2024-09-24
EM-3607-GA[28] Hurricane Debby 2024-08-05

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Hurricanes

Before

  • Know your hurricane risk, including rain, wind and tornadoes far inland from landfall.
  • Learn your evacuation zone and routes, and practice them with your household and pets.
  • Keep insurance policies and ID current, with password-protected digital copies.
  • Clear drains and gutters, bring in outdoor furniture and consider hurricane shutters.
  • Keep your phone charged, buy backup chargers and gather supplies, including medication and pet supplies.

During

  • If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and officials order an evacuation, leave right away.
  • For high winds, take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room.
  • If you are trapped by flooding, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, hurricanes

Wildfires

Before

  • Sign up for community alerts and watch for air quality alerts.
  • Make sure everyone knows the evacuation plan, including for school, work and other places you go often.
  • Keep a fire-resistant zone of at least 30 feet around your home, clear of leaves and debris.
  • Use fire-resistant building materials and keep a hose long enough to reach every part of your property.
  • Pick a room you can seal off from outside air and keep a portable air cleaner ready.

During

  • Leave right away when authorities tell you to evacuate.
  • If you are trapped, call 9-1-1 with your location and turn on lights to help rescuers find you.
  • If you are not ordered to leave but there is smoke, stay in a safe indoor place or go to a community building with less smoke.

Source: Ready.gov, wildfires

Questions people ask

Is Brantley County, Georgia at risk of hurricanes?
FEMA rates hurricane risk in Brantley County Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties, with a score of 83.1 of 100 and an Expected Annual Loss of $3.1 million a year[7]. OpenFEMA lists 10 hurricane declarations that include the county since 1977[2].
Does Brantley County flood?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Very Low for Brantley County (score 15.8 of 100)[8]. NFIP paid $426,000 in total on claims for losses in the county from 1978 to 2026[3].
How do I check if an address in Brantley County is in a flood zone?
Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[27]. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of a single address[27].
Does Brantley County get tornadoes?
NOAA's tornado database records 8 tornadoes in Brantley County from 1950 to 2024, the most recent on 2024-03-09[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties (score 30.6 of 100)[18].
How many disasters have been declared in Brantley County?
OpenFEMA lists 21 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Brantley County since 1977, 9 of them major disaster declarations[2].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Brantley County is $7.0 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Very Low, score 22.4). Of this, buildings account for $5.0 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $1.6 million and... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 21 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Brantley County since 1977 (9 major disaster, 12 emergency or fire management). By incident type: hurricane 10, tropical storm 3, fire 3, severe storm 2, tornado 1, snowstorm 1, drought 1. Biological... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 23 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Brantley County, 20 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $426,000 in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid). Years... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 8 recorded tornadoes touched Brantley County. The strongest were rated EF2 (most recent of them on 2024-03-09). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2024-03-09. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Brantley County is Very Low, with a Risk Index score of 18.2 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Brantley County are hurricane (83.1, Relatively Moderate), wildfire (67.7, Relatively Low), earthquake (41.6, Very Low). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published scores;... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 83.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.1 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.32 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172... FEMA National Risk Index
  8. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 15.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.0 million a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.25 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 26 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Brantley County is Relatively Low (score 34.2). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Brantley County is Relatively Low (score 31.2). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 67.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $152,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0019 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 41.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $174,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0015 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 39.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $232,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 4.79 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 39.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $64,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 23.17 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 36.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $142,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 73.56 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 32.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $489,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 1.26 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 30.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $544,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.18 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 20.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $17,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.19 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), coastal flooding in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 20.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $316 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.012 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 12.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $99,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.92 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 9.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $28,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 1.78 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 7.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $15 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Brantley County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 6.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $4,976 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.26 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Brantley County: avalanche, tsunami, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically possible there. FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  26. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 69 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Brantley County, out of 8,584 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.8%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 461 residential structures and 55 contracts, a rate... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  27. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  28. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.