Cherokee County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
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
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cherokee County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 85.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Cherokee County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $16M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $46M in expected annual loss and about 0.86 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.66 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $78M in expected annual loss for a population of 266K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cherokee County has a very 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Cherokee County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 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, Cherokee County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Cherokee County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (4), 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 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Cherokee County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Cherokee County since 1977, most often 6 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. Cherokee County's $78M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.