Houston County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 70th
Houston County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.5, 70th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $33M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.26 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | High | 64.37 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.11 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $16M |
| Hail | Low | 2.35 / yr | $648K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $174K |
| Drought | Medium | 39.93 / yr | $509K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.50 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.26 / yr | $892K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.36 / yr | $69K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $635 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $18K |
| 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 Houston County?
Houston County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 70th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Houston County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Houston County compare to other Georgia counties?
Houston County ranks #26 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Houston County's $33M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.