Barrow County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Barrow County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.6, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Barrow County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 45.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $891K in expected annual loss and about 56.42 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $229K in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.10 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 83K.
Beyond physical exposure, Barrow County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Barrow County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 4 for hurricane events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Barrow County ranks #63 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Medium | 56.42 / yr | $891K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.12 / yr | $229K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $813K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.46 / yr | $997K |
| Hail | Low | 5.12 / yr | $491K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $11M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.74 / yr | $587K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $77K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $626K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $211 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $10K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 38.32 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Barrow County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Biological (2), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Barrow County?
Barrow County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Barrow County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $891K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $229K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Barrow County compare to other Georgia counties?
Barrow County ranks #63 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Barrow County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Barrow County since 1977, most often 4 for hurricane events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
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. Barrow County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.