Dade County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Dade County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.2, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Dade County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 33.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 33rd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $5K in expected annual loss and about 0.37 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dade County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Dade County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 5 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, Dade County ranks #85 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.37 / yr | $5K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.58 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $306K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.71 / yr | $475K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.53 / yr | $51K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| Drought | Low | 30.32 / yr | $82K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.67 / yr | $48K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $21K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.57 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 61.33 / yr | $71K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.63 / yr | $74K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.33 / yr | $48K |
| 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
Dade County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Severe Storm (4), Biological (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 |
| November 2016 | Fire | Tatum Gulf Fire |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Dade County?
Dade County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dade County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $5K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dade County compare to other Georgia counties?
Dade County ranks #85 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dade County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Dade County since 1973, most often 5 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. Dade County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.