Henry County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 79th
Henry County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.4, 79th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $52M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Henry County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 79.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 79th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.20 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.95 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 62.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $52M in expected annual loss for a population of 241K.
Beyond physical exposure, Henry County has a very 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: Henry County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 4 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Henry County ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $9M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.95 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 62.51 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.36 / yr | $31M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $454K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.95 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.63 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $410K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.48 / yr | $900K |
| Drought | Low | 42.90 / yr | $170K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $39K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $485 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.37 / yr | $30K |
| 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
Henry County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Hurricane (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Henry County?
Henry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 79th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Henry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $9M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Henry County compare to other Georgia counties?
Henry County ranks #17 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Henry County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Henry County since 1973, most often 4 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane 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. Henry County's $52M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.