Gilmer County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Gilmer County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.1, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gilmer County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 68.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 68th 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 Gilmer County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $118K in expected annual loss and about 1.55 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 2.42 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $521K in expected annual loss and about 61.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gilmer County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Gilmer County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, 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, Gilmer County ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.55 / yr | $118K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.42 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 61.32 / yr | $521K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $12M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $654K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $135K |
| Drought | Low | 37.69 / yr | $230K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $141K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.43 / yr | $509K |
| Hail | Low | 5.27 / yr | $253K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.78 / yr | $70K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.53 / yr | $22K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Gilmer County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, 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 |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gilmer County?
Gilmer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gilmer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $118K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $521K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gilmer County compare to other Georgia counties?
Gilmer County ranks #29 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gilmer County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Gilmer County since 1974, 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. Gilmer County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.