Ben Hill County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Ben Hill County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.4, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Ben Hill County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $811K in expected annual loss and about 0.19 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.16 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $191K in expected annual loss and about 25.12 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ben Hill County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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.
History supports the rating: Ben Hill County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Ben Hill County ranks #97 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.19 / yr | $811K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 25.12 / yr | $191K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $260K |
| Lightning | Low | 67.77 / yr | $138K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.11 / yr | $154K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.79 / yr | $410K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.48 / yr | $237K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.01 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $5K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $3K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $2 |
| 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
Ben Hill County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| 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 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ben Hill County?
Ben Hill County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ben Hill County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $811K EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL), Drought (Low, $191K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ben Hill County compare to other Georgia counties?
Ben Hill County ranks #97 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ben Hill County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Ben Hill County since 1977, most often 7 for hurricane events and 2 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. Ben Hill County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.