Haralson County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Haralson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.6, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Haralson County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Haralson County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $142K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $398K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.20 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, Haralson County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Haralson County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 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, Haralson County ranks #93 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $142K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $398K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.20 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $97K |
| Drought | Low | 31.05 / yr | $153K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.51 / yr | $1K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $769K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.63 / yr | $59K |
| Hail | Low | 5.52 / yr | $182K |
| Lightning | Low | 62.67 / yr | $138K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.16 / yr | $152K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.01 / yr | $234K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.68 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Haralson County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| January 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Haralson County?
Haralson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Haralson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $142K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $398K EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Haralson County compare to other Georgia counties?
Haralson County ranks #93 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Haralson County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Haralson County since 1974, most often 5 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. Haralson County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.