Effingham County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Effingham County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.1, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.29 / yr | $11M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.87 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $254K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.25 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Low | 67.95 / yr | $291K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.21 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 24.34 / yr | $124K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.58 / yr | $791K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.58 / yr | $59K |
| Hail | Low | 2.34 / yr | $170K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $2K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $26K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.84 / yr | $230K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $84 |
| Avalanche | 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 Effingham County?
Effingham County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Effingham County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $11M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Effingham County compare to other Georgia counties?
Effingham County ranks #44 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Effingham County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.