Gwinnett County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 95th
Gwinnett County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 95.4, 95th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $211M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Very High | 59.65 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | High | 5.34 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | High | 0.26 / yr | $23M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.18 / yr | $145M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.16 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.84 / yr | $11M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $10M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.26 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.54 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.39 / yr | $16K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $777K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.95 / yr | $154K |
| Drought | Low | 33.34 / yr | $249K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gwinnett County?
Gwinnett County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 95.4 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 95th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gwinnett County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Very High, $4M EAL), Hail (High, $7M EAL), Tornado (High, $23M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gwinnett County compare to other Georgia counties?
Gwinnett County ranks #3 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
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. Gwinnett County's $211M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.