Harris County

Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

20.8

National percentile: 21th

Harris County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.8, 21th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $8M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 35K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Lightning
Medium $562K/yr
Hurricane
Low $384K/yr
Drought
Low $170K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Lightning Medium 64.33 / yr $562K
Hurricane Low 0.08 / yr $384K
Drought Low 48.06 / yr $170K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $51K
Heat Wave Low 4.74 / yr $361K
Landslide Very Low 0.53 / yr $974
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $187K
Riverine Flood Low 0.43 / yr $5M
Hail Low 3.46 / yr $193K
Tornado Low 0.34 / yr $837K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.49 / yr $27K
Strong Wind Low 1.74 / yr $197K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.42 / yr $32K
Winter Weather Very Low 0.79 / yr $4K
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 Harris County?

Harris County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 21th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Harris County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $562K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $384K EAL), Drought (Low, $170K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Harris County compare to other Georgia counties?

Harris County ranks #105 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low 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. Harris County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.