Berrien County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Berrien County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.3, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Berrien County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 39.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 39th 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 Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $197K in expected annual loss and about 25.81 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $228K in expected annual loss and about 71.08 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 18K.
Beyond physical exposure, Berrien 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: Berrien County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 8 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Berrien County ranks #76 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Low | 25.81 / yr | $197K |
| Lightning | Medium | 71.08 / yr | $228K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $41K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.58 / yr | $688K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $133K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.58 / yr | $172K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.33 / yr | $177K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.62 / yr | $40K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $4 |
| 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
Berrien County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), 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 Berrien County?
Berrien County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Berrien County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Drought (Low, $197K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $228K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Berrien County compare to other Georgia counties?
Berrien County ranks #76 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Berrien County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Berrien County since 1974, most often 8 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. Berrien County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.