Bleckley County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 26th
Bleckley County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.7, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Bleckley County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 26th 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 heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 7.68 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $631K in expected annual loss and about 44.05 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $641K in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bleckley 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.
History supports the rating: Bleckley County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 7 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, Bleckley County ranks #96 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.68 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 44.05 / yr | $631K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.14 / yr | $641K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $211K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.13 / yr | $351K |
| Lightning | Low | 65.05 / yr | $71K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.43 / yr | $135K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.20 / yr | $52K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $3K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $4 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Bleckley County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Biological (2), Winter Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bleckley County?
Bleckley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 26th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bleckley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $631K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $641K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bleckley County compare to other Georgia counties?
Bleckley County ranks #96 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bleckley County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Bleckley County since 1966, most often 7 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. Bleckley County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.