Chattahoochee County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Chattahoochee County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.0, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Chattahoochee County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 2.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $936K in expected annual loss and about 66.87 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $118K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $803 in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Chattahoochee County has a very low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Chattahoochee County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 5 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, Chattahoochee County ranks #155 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Medium | 66.87 / yr | $936K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $118K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $803 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.37 / yr | $139K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $62K |
| Drought | Very Low | 53.79 / yr | $9K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $319K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.71 / yr | $39K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $4K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.51 / yr | $47K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $941K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $5K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $802 |
| 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
Chattahoochee County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Biological (2), Winter Storm (1).
| 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 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Chattahoochee County?
Chattahoochee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chattahoochee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $936K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $118K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $803 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chattahoochee County compare to other Georgia counties?
Chattahoochee County ranks #155 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Chattahoochee County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Chattahoochee County since 1977, most often 5 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. Chattahoochee County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.