Marion County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Marion County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.7, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Marion County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 6.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 7th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $355K in expected annual loss and about 58.53 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $231K in expected annual loss and about 66.55 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $149K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marion County has a very 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: Marion 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, Marion County ranks #145 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 58.53 / yr | $355K |
| Lightning | Medium | 66.55 / yr | $231K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $149K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $29K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $408 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.53 / yr | $107K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $233K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.62 / yr | $48K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $997K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.51 / yr | $55K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $10K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $770 |
| 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
Marion County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Biological (2), Severe Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 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 Marion County?
Marion County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 7th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marion County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $355K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $231K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $149K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marion County compare to other Georgia counties?
Marion County ranks #145 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marion County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Marion 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. Marion County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.