Clayton County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Clayton County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.7, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $60M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Clayton County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 86.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 87th 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 Clayton County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.47 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 64.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $60M in expected annual loss for a population of 297K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clayton County has a medium 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Clayton County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, 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, Clayton County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.09 / yr | $13M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.47 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 64.01 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.84 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.67 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $30M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.26 / yr | $587K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.63 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $305K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.58 / yr | $29K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $218 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 39.23 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Clayton County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), 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 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2004 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ivan |
| March 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 Clayton County?
Clayton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clayton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $13M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clayton County compare to other Georgia counties?
Clayton County ranks #7 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clayton County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Clayton County since 1973, 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. Clayton County's $60M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.