Effingham County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Effingham County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 59.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 59th national percentile and below the national average 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 8.87 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 65K.
Beyond physical exposure, Effingham County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Effingham County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 8 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Effingham County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Effingham County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Tropical Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
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 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.
How many federally declared disasters has Effingham County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Effingham County since 1977, most often 8 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene, declared in September 2024.
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.