Waycross, GA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Waycross is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Ware County, GA. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, wildfire, and earthquake.
Storm events near Waycross
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Waycross's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Waycross itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Ware County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Waycross along with the rest of the county, not a Waycross-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 73.7 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 46.1 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 66.4 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 60 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 62.2 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 19.1 | Very Low |
| Drought | 48 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 11.9 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 87.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 7 | Very Low |
| Landslide | 19.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 64.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 31.9 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 19.7 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Ware County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Ware County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Waycross, GA at risk of?
Waycross is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Ware County, where Waycross is located, are hurricane, wildfire, and earthquake.
What is Waycross's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Ware County, where Waycross is located, scoring 87.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Waycross a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Waycross carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Ware County.
Has Waycross had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 11 tornado, 11 hail, 5 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Waycross since 2016.