Colquitt County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Colquitt County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.5, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Colquitt County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 70.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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 — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.33 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $534K in expected annual loss and about 71.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 46K.
Beyond physical exposure, Colquitt County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Colquitt County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 8 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Colquitt County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.33 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Medium | 71.53 / yr | $534K |
| Drought | Medium | 29.23 / yr | $483K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.74 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $112K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.58 / yr | $541K |
| Hail | Low | 1.43 / yr | $284K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.58 / yr | $424K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $266K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 0.42 / yr | $24K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $11K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $9 |
| 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
Colquitt County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Severe Storm (4), Tropical Storm (3).
| 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 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Colquitt County?
Colquitt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Colquitt County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $6M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $534K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Colquitt County compare to other Georgia counties?
Colquitt County ranks #25 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Colquitt County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Colquitt County since 1977, most often 8 for hurricane events and 4 for severe 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. Colquitt County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.