Fannin County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 56th
Fannin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 56.5, 56th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Fannin County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 56.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 56th 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.
Most of Fannin County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $120K in expected annual loss and about 1.42 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $222K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Fannin County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Fannin County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 6 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, Fannin County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.42 / yr | $120K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $222K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.42 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $709K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $9M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.19 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 61.26 / yr | $270K |
| Drought | Low | 35.44 / yr | $207K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $139K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.65 / yr | $458K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.66 / yr | $62K |
| Hail | Low | 4.35 / yr | $154K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.74 / yr | $19K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Fannin County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| May 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| January 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Fannin County?
Fannin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 56.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 56th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fannin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $120K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $222K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fannin County compare to other Georgia counties?
Fannin County ranks #45 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Fannin County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Fannin County since 1974, most often 6 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. Fannin County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.