Cherokee County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Cherokee County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.3, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $78M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.26 / yr | $16M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $46M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.66 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.37 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | High | 60.58 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.98 / yr | $33K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $412K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.82 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.90 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $108K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $156K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.84 / yr | $83K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 36.05 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cherokee County?
Cherokee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cherokee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $16M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $46M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cherokee County compare to other Georgia counties?
Cherokee County ranks #9 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
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. Cherokee County's $78M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.