Butts County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 21th
Butts County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.5, 21th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Butts County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 20.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 21st 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $995K in expected annual loss and about 2.47 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $158K in expected annual loss and about 57.56 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $211K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Butts 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.
The federal record bears this out: Butts County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Butts County ranks #109 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.47 / yr | $995K |
| Drought | Low | 57.56 / yr | $158K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $211K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $51K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.01 / yr | $60K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $863K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.21 / yr | $235K |
| Hail | Low | 4.77 / yr | $173K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 61.04 / yr | $89K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $159K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $62 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Butts County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Butts County?
Butts County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 21th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Butts County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $995K EAL), Drought (Low, $158K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $211K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Butts County compare to other Georgia counties?
Butts County ranks #109 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Butts County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Butts County since 1977, most often 6 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm 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. Butts County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.