Coffee County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Coffee County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.6, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Coffee County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 59.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 60th 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $702K in expected annual loss and about 23.85 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Coffee County has a 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.
The federal record bears this out: Coffee County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 9 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Coffee County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Medium | 23.85 / yr | $702K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $620K |
| Lightning | Medium | 69.29 / yr | $333K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $110K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.68 / yr | $334K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $381K |
| Hail | Low | 1.78 / yr | $101K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.15 / yr | $189K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $29 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $5K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Coffee County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Tropical Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Coffee County?
Coffee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Coffee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $5M EAL), Drought (Medium, $702K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Coffee County compare to other Georgia counties?
Coffee County ranks #43 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Coffee County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Coffee County since 1974, most often 9 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene, declared in September 2024.
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. Coffee County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.