Harris County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Harris County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 20.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 21st 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.
Risk here concentrates in lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $562K in expected annual loss and about 64.33 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $384K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $170K in expected annual loss and about 48.06 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 35K.
Beyond physical exposure, Harris County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Harris County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 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, Harris County ranks #105 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Harris County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), 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 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2004 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Frances |
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 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.
How many federally declared disasters has Harris County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Harris County since 1977, most often 6 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. Harris County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.