Lowndes County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Lowndes County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.6, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $30M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $9M |
| Lightning | High | 75.93 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.84 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $203K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $12M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.42 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $629K |
| Drought | Low | 15.17 / yr | $113K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 0.32 / yr | $45K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.37 / yr | $352K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.47 / yr | $82K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $56 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| 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 Lowndes County?
Lowndes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lowndes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $9M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lowndes County compare to other Georgia counties?
Lowndes County ranks #22 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. Lowndes County's $30M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.