Glynn County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Glynn County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.7, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $40M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Glynn County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 83.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 84th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $21M in expected annual loss and about 0.34 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 3.65 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $40M in expected annual loss for a population of 84K.
Beyond physical exposure, Glynn County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Glynn County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 11 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Glynn County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.34 / yr | $21M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 3.65 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.81 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.33 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 65.88 / yr | $424K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $150K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.82 / yr | $547K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.54 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Low | 1.63 / yr | $162K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.20 / yr | $758K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $17K |
| Drought | Very Low | 21.86 / yr | $369 |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $13 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Glynn County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| 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 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Glynn County?
Glynn County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Glynn County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $21M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL), Coastal Flood (High, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Glynn County compare to other Georgia counties?
Glynn County ranks #11 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Glynn County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Glynn County since 1977, most often 11 for hurricane events and 2 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. Glynn County's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.