Dooly County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 15th
Dooly County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.9, 15th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Dooly County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 14.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 15th 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.
Most of Dooly County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 50.12 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $31K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dooly County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Dooly County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 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, Dooly County ranks #122 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 50.12 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.14 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $31K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.53 / yr | $258K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $145K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.13 / yr | $140K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $480K |
| Lightning | Low | 65.94 / yr | $87K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.49 / yr | $196K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $34K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $9 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $2K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.32 / 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
Dooly County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 Dooly County?
Dooly County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 15th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dooly County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $31K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dooly County compare to other Georgia counties?
Dooly County ranks #122 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dooly County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Dooly County since 1977, most often 7 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. Dooly County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.