Bartow County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Bartow County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.3, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $33M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Bartow County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 65.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th 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 tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.33 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $18K in expected annual loss and about 0.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $33M in expected annual loss for a population of 109K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bartow 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: Bartow County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Bartow County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.33 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.49 / yr | $18K |
| Lightning | Medium | 61.49 / yr | $852K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.37 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Low | 5.68 / yr | $720K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $16M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $129K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.35 / yr | $947K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.74 / yr | $113K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.66 / yr | $151K |
| Drought | Low | 30.57 / yr | $234K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $97K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.05 / yr | $427K |
| 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
Bartow County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Hurricane (4), Tornado (3).
| 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 |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bartow County?
Bartow County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bartow County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $8M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $18K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bartow County compare to other Georgia counties?
Bartow County ranks #37 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bartow County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Bartow County since 1974, most often 5 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane 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. Bartow County's $33M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.