Lowndes County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
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
Risk Overview
Lowndes County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 72.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 75.93 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $30M in expected annual loss for a population of 118K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lowndes County has a medium 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: Lowndes County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Lowndes County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Lowndes County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Tropical Storm (3), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Lowndes County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Lowndes County since 1977, most often 7 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. Lowndes County's $30M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.