Jeff Davis County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Jeff Davis County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.2, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Jeff Davis County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 28.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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.
Most of Jeff Davis County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $343K in expected annual loss and about 22.90 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $897K in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jeff Davis 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Jeff Davis County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 9 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Jeff Davis County ranks #92 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 22.90 / yr | $343K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $897K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $191K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Lightning | Low | 69.19 / yr | $124K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.89 / yr | $165K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $435K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.95 / yr | $58K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.18 / yr | $116K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $11 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $2K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $524 |
| 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
Jeff Davis County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Tropical Storm (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jeff Davis County?
Jeff Davis County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jeff Davis County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $343K EAL), Tornado (Low, $897K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jeff Davis County compare to other Georgia counties?
Jeff Davis County ranks #92 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jeff Davis County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Jeff Davis County since 1977, most often 9 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene, declared in September 2024.
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. Jeff Davis County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.