Appling County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Appling County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.2, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Appling County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 50.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $563K in expected annual loss and about 21.71 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 18K.
Beyond physical exposure, Appling County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Appling County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 9 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Appling County ranks #59 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $7M |
| Drought | Medium | 21.71 / yr | $563K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $246K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.23 / yr | $841K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.24 / yr | $364K |
| Lightning | Low | 70.52 / yr | $148K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.05 / yr | $202K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.22 / yr | $73K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $14 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $2K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $536 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Appling County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Tropical Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Appling County?
Appling County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Appling County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $7M EAL), Drought (Medium, $563K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Appling County compare to other Georgia counties?
Appling County ranks #59 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Appling County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Appling County since 1977, most often 9 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene, declared in September 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Appling County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.