Madison County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Madison County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.9, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Madison County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 28.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 29th 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 Madison County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $190K in expected annual loss and about 1.28 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $455K in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $414K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, Madison County has a 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: Madison County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 5 for hurricane events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Madison County ranks #91 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.28 / yr | $190K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $455K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $414K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 4.53 / yr | $282K |
| Drought | Low | 46.54 / yr | $166K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.37 / yr | $826K |
| Lightning | Low | 54.75 / yr | $191K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.37 / yr | $226K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.38 / yr | $347K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $188 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.58 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Madison County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Severe Ice Storm (3), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Madison County?
Madison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Madison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $190K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $455K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $414K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Madison County compare to other Georgia counties?
Madison County ranks #91 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Madison County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Madison County since 1973, most often 5 for hurricane events and 3 for severe ice 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. Madison County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.