Catoosa County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Catoosa County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.6, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Catoosa County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 64.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th 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.
Risk here concentrates in tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.53 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $27M in expected annual loss for a population of 68K.
Beyond physical exposure, Catoosa County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Catoosa County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 4 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, Catoosa County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.11 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.53 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.21 / yr | $9K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 5.47 / yr | $132K |
| Lightning | Medium | 61.55 / yr | $473K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.35 / yr | $949K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.54 / yr | $12M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.63 / yr | $116K |
| Drought | Low | 25.89 / yr | $175K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $63K |
| Hail | Low | 4.25 / yr | $216K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.58 / yr | $284K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| 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
Catoosa County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Catoosa County?
Catoosa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Catoosa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Catoosa County compare to other Georgia counties?
Catoosa County ranks #38 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Catoosa County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Catoosa County since 1973, most often 4 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. Catoosa County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.