Chattooga County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 54th
Chattooga County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 54.4, 54th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Chattooga County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 54.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 54th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 0.45 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $483K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Chattooga County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Chattooga County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 4 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Chattooga County ranks #50 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.45 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $483K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.47 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 33.08 / yr | $250K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $60K |
| Lightning | Low | 61.29 / yr | $141K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.58 / yr | $47K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.13 / yr | $286K |
| Hail | Low | 4.79 / yr | $108K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.74 / yr | $20K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $84K |
| 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
Chattooga County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Severe Storm (3), 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 |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Chattooga County?
Chattooga County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 54.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 54th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chattooga County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $483K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chattooga County compare to other Georgia counties?
Chattooga County ranks #50 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Chattooga County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Chattooga County since 1973, most often 4 for hurricane events and 3 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. Chattooga County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.