Heard County

Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

12.8

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

Expected Annual Loss $3M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 11K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hurricane
Very Low $84K/yr
Drought
Low $118K/yr
Tornado
Low $829K/yr

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

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.

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.