Dawson County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Dawson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.9, 22th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Medium | 60.22 / yr | $553K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.62 / yr | $5K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $350K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.21 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.05 / yr | $583K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.09 / yr | $75K |
| Drought | Low | 37.52 / yr | $75K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $29K |
| Hail | Low | 5.20 / yr | $171K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.47 / yr | $16K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $40K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dawson County?
Dawson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 21.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dawson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $553K EAL), Landslide (Low, $5K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dawson County compare to other Georgia counties?
Dawson County ranks #103 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Dawson County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.