Heard County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Heard County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.8, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Heard County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 12.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $84K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $118K in expected annual loss and about 50.28 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $829K in expected annual loss and about 0.22 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Heard County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Heard County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 for hurricane events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Heard County ranks #126 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $84K |
| Drought | Low | 50.28 / yr | $118K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.22 / yr | $829K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.59 / yr | $739 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.79 / yr | $45K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $100K |
| Hail | Very Low | 5.06 / yr | $85K |
| Lightning | Low | 61.69 / yr | $70K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.68 / yr | $74K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.84 / yr | $226K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.47 / yr | $116K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Heard County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| May 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Heard County?
Heard County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Heard County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Very Low, $84K EAL), Drought (Low, $118K EAL), Tornado (Low, $829K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Heard County compare to other Georgia counties?
Heard County ranks #126 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Heard County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Heard County since 1977, most often 6 for hurricane events and 5 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. Heard County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.