Hart County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Hart County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.4, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hart County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 35.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $313K in expected annual loss and about 1.64 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $651K in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $595K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hart 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.
History supports the rating: Hart County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 5 for hurricane events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Hart County ranks #81 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $313K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $651K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $595K |
| Drought | Low | 43.05 / yr | $296K |
| Hail | Low | 4.39 / yr | $285K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.00 / yr | $381K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.21 / yr | $742K |
| Lightning | Low | 55.57 / yr | $176K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.37 / yr | $276K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $140 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.21 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Hart County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Biological (2), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
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 Hart County?
Hart County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hart County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $313K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $651K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $595K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hart County compare to other Georgia counties?
Hart County ranks #81 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hart County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Hart County since 1977, most often 5 for hurricane events and 2 for biological 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. Hart County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.