Carroll County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 70th
Carroll County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.5, 70th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Carroll County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 70.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 70th 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.
Most of Carroll County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.36 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $391K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 119K.
Beyond physical exposure, Carroll County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Carroll County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Carroll County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.36 / yr | $9M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $391K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.35 / yr | $733K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.26 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $15M |
| Lightning | Medium | 63.25 / yr | $521K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $221K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $371K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.73 / yr | $671K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.48 / yr | $1K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.47 / yr | $16K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 38.17 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Carroll County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| January 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Carroll County?
Carroll County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 70th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Carroll County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $9M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $391K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Carroll County compare to other Georgia counties?
Carroll County ranks #24 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Carroll County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Carroll County since 1977, most often 6 for hurricane events and 6 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. Carroll County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.