Gordon County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Gordon County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 67.2, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $28M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gordon County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 67.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 67th 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 31.14 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $28M in expected annual loss for a population of 57K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gordon County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Gordon County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 5 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Gordon County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 31.14 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.88 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.40 / yr | $9K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.42 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 62.03 / yr | $440K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.18 / yr | $10M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $201K |
| Hail | Low | 5.15 / yr | $382K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $65K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.64 / yr | $101K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.68 / yr | $69K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $208K |
| 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
Gordon County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Hurricane (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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
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 Gordon County?
Gordon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 67.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gordon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $7M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gordon County compare to other Georgia counties?
Gordon County ranks #30 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gordon County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Gordon County since 1973, most often 5 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane 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. Gordon County's $28M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.