DeKalb County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
DeKalb County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.3, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $153M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
DeKalb County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 94.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 94th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Very High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 61.14 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 5.39 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at High risk — $97M in expected annual loss and about 1.93 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $153M in expected annual loss for a population of 764K.
Beyond physical exposure, DeKalb County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: DeKalb County has received 17 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, DeKalb County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Very High | 61.14 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | High | 5.39 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.93 / yr | $97M |
| Tornado | High | 0.17 / yr | $15M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.39 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.61 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $13M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.84 / yr | $9M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.27 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.46 / yr | $13K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $756K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.63 / yr | $109K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 29.02 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
DeKalb County has received 17 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 |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for DeKalb County?
DeKalb County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in DeKalb County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Very High, $4M EAL), Hail (High, $6M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $97M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does DeKalb County compare to other Georgia counties?
DeKalb County ranks #5 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has DeKalb County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for DeKalb 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. DeKalb County's $153M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.