Grady County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Grady County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.0, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Grady County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 53.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 53rd 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.30 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grady 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: Grady County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Grady County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 74.11 / yr | $340K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $78K |
| Drought | Low | 32.00 / yr | $221K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.37 / yr | $300K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.29 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $67K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.60 / yr | $220K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.18 / yr | $84K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $71 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $10K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Grady County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Severe Storm (4), Tropical Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
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 Grady County?
Grady County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grady County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grady County compare to other Georgia counties?
Grady County ranks #53 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grady County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Grady County since 1977, most often 7 for hurricane events and 4 for severe 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. Grady County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.