Gwinnett County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
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
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gwinnett County at high composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 95.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 95th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Very High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 59.65 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 5.34 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $23M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $211M in expected annual loss for a population of 956K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gwinnett County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Gwinnett County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 4 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Gwinnett County ranks #3 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Gwinnett County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Gwinnett County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Gwinnett County since 1977, most often 4 for hurricane events and 3 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. Gwinnett County's $211M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.