Lincoln County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Lincoln County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.5, 6th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Lincoln County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 5.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 6th 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $135K in expected annual loss and about 1.09 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $101K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $178K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lincoln County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Lincoln County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 5 for hurricane events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Lincoln County ranks #148 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.09 / yr | $135K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $101K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $178K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $558K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.40 / yr | $89K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.32 / yr | $65K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.56 / yr | $128K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $123K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $44 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 56.81 / yr | $27K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.84 / yr | $2K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 60.87 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Lincoln County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Biological (2), Winter Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lincoln County?
Lincoln County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 6th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lincoln County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $135K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $101K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $178K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lincoln County compare to other Georgia counties?
Lincoln County ranks #148 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lincoln County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Lincoln County since 1977, most often 5 for hurricane events and 2 for biological 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. Lincoln County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.