Wayne County, GA Environment & Hazard Risk

• HurricaneRelatively Moderate$4.9M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• EarthquakeRelatively Low$457K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 576 years
• WildfireVery Low$73.7K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 878 years
• Heat waveRelatively Low$360K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.5 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Low$1.1M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 4 years
• Cold waveRelatively Low$801K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.3 events a year
• LightningRelatively Low$190K/yr expected annual loss, about 72 events a year
• DroughtRelatively Low$63.7K/yr expected annual loss, about 21 events a year
• Ice stormRelatively Low$42.1K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 4 years
• Strong windRelatively Low$198K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.1 events a year
• HailVery Low$71.3K/yr expected annual loss, about 2.1 events a year
• Coastal floodingVery Low$145/yr expected annual loss, about once every 83 years
• LandslideVery Low$39/yr expected annual loss, about once every 11 years
• Winter weatherVery Low$3,656/yr expected annual loss, about once every 4 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

62 of 12,136 (0.5%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

208

Insured in high-risk zones

41 (20%)

Flood claims since 1978

7

Claims paid since 1978

$56.2K

• Thunderstorm Wind175
• Hail71
• Heavy Rain18
• Tornado11
• Tropical Storm11
• Drought7
• Flood7
• Lightning6
• Wildfire6
• Funnel Cloud5

• TornadoEF1, 4.75 mi path, 440 yd wide04/13/2020

  Odum, Wayne County

  8 injured

  What happened

  A high end EF1 tornado with peak winds near 110 mph touched down in Odum and tracked ENE for about 4.5 miles before lifting up again. There were 8 reported injuries. A manufactured home was lifted off of the ground and over power lines near Hyma Poppell Loop near Poppel Farms. Roof and window damage occurred to some brick and mortar homes. A home on a cinder block foundation was spun off of its base. Widespread tree and power line damage occurred near Odum including along Walter Griffis Road, Hires Avenue, Hyma Poppell Loop and Tank Road.

• Wildfire04/25/2026

  Wayne

  $2M damage

  What happened

  On April 20, 2026 at 4 PM EDT, the Georgia Forestry Commission reported a wildfire developed along Highway 82 near Atkinson, GA. The Highway 82 fire was caused by a Mylar balloon coming into contact with a power line, creating an electrical arc that ignited the surrounding vegetation. This wildfire resulted in the worst home loss from a single fire in Georgia history, with 110 homes destroyed and 27 homes damaged. On April 25th, the fire grew to 9,578 acres per overnight infrared flight mapping. Evacuation areas were expanded to the Brantley���Wayne County line due to the fire movement to the north and northeast, while evacuations and road closures on the southern portion of the fire have been lifted. Wayne County issued Mandatory Evacuations for the area from the Brantley County Line at Wire Rd to Post Rd, to Ten Mile Rd and all areas in between. The fire was 13,745 acres and 7% contained. The fire produced 150-foot flame lengths during a significant run toward Browntown Road. The blaze was a plume-dominated wildfire, a rare occurrence that happened on multiple days during the fire. On April 26th, a Mandatory Evacuation was issued for the entire community of Manningtown, off...

• TornadoEF1, 1.6 mi path, 250 yd wide12/09/2009

  Jesup, Wayne County

  1 injured

  What happened

  A National Weather Service storm survey confirmed an EF1 touchdown near 632 Longford Road. At that location trees were overturned and snapped, a swimming pool cage was destroyed and a shed was flipped over onto its side. Winds here were estimated to be 90 mph or EF-1 velocity. The vortex then moved northeast over a wooded area and lake snapping trees. This area was not assessable; however, damage appeared to be in the EF-1 range. The storm then moved over Bethlehem Road downing and snapping trees and power lines. A school bus was also tossed into a ditch near Bethlehem Road and Fender Drive with no injuries and no students onboard. The funnel then struck a shed and mobile home destroying both with debris thrown approximately one quarter mile into the woods. The occupant of the mobile home was tossed from the structure with minor injuries and winds in this area were estimated at 110 mph or strong EF-1 status. The system them moved through a wooded area again snapping trees and crossed Grantham Road near Kicklighter Drive again snapping trees and power lines. Winds were estimated near 90 mph in this area and the vortex lifted off the ground at this point.

• Wildfire05/01/2026

  Wayne

  $1M damage

  What happened

  On April 20, 2026 at 4 PM EDT, the Georgia Forestry Commission reported a wildfire developed along Highway 82 near Atkinson, GA. The Highway 82 fire was caused by a Mylar balloon coming into contact with a power line, creating an electrical arc that ignited the surrounding vegetation. This wildfire resulted in the worst home loss from a single fire in Georgia history, with 110 homes destroyed and 27 homes damaged. On May 1st, the fire was 22,532 acres and 45% contained. On May 2nd, all voluntary evacuations were rescinded but mandatory evacuations along Mobile Road remained in place. About an inch of rain fell on the wildfire on May 2nd which helped reduce fire activity and helped crews increase the containment to 64%. On May 3rd, the fire was 22,471 acres and 75% contained, per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). On May 4th, the fire was 22,420 acres and 85% contained. On May 7th, Hwy 32 reopened and the fire was 90% contained. On May 9th, steady rainfall over the fire area throughout the day helped reduce fire activity across much of the incident. On May 11th, all evacuations were lifted for Wayne county. On May 29th, the fire was 95% contained, per the NIFC.

• Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind12/17/2012

  Ross, Wayne County

  $200K damage

• Flash Flood08/20/2013

  Doctortown, Wayne County

  $100K damage

• Jesup Water SystemServes 10,055 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• ScrevenServes 1,043 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Seminole WoodsServes 780 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• OdumServes 692 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Riverside Acres MhpServes 270 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• Spring Grove Acres SubdivisionServes 242 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+12 monitoring or reporting
• Altamaha AcresServes 232 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Quail Run Mobile Home ParkServes 168 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations