Lumpkin County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Lumpkin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.9, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Lumpkin County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 44.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 45th 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 61.03 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $12K in expected annual loss and about 0.95 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $150K in expected annual loss and about 1.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lumpkin 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: Lumpkin County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 7 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Lumpkin County ranks #65 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Very High | 61.03 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.95 / yr | $12K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.63 / yr | $150K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.37 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $376K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Low | 38.23 / yr | $135K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $37K |
| Hail | Low | 4.89 / yr | $186K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.62 / yr | $332K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.37 / yr | $11K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $31K |
| 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
Lumpkin County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Severe Storm (4), Tornado (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| May 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| January 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lumpkin County?
Lumpkin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lumpkin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Very High, $3M EAL), Landslide (Low, $12K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $150K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lumpkin County compare to other Georgia counties?
Lumpkin County ranks #65 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lumpkin County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Lumpkin County since 1974, most often 7 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm 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. Lumpkin County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.