Clarke County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Clarke County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 67.0, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Clarke County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 67.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 67th 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.
Most of Clarke County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $610K in expected annual loss and about 1.27 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $798K in expected annual loss and about 55.76 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 129K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clarke County has a 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: Clarke County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 4 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, Clarke County ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.27 / yr | $610K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 55.76 / yr | $798K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.07 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.64 / yr | $910K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.16 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $755K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $15M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.37 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.30 / yr | $743K |
| Drought | Low | 42.10 / yr | $110K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $284 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.21 / yr | $17K |
| 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
Clarke County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Biological (2), Tornado (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 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clarke County?
Clarke County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 67.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clarke County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $610K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $798K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clarke County compare to other Georgia counties?
Clarke County ranks #31 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clarke County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Clarke County since 1973, most often 4 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. Clarke County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.