McDuffie County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
McDuffie County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.0, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates McDuffie County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 McDuffie County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $610K in expected annual loss and about 2.64 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $160K in expected annual loss and about 0.95 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $267K in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, McDuffie County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: McDuffie County has received 15 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, McDuffie County ranks #98 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 2.64 / yr | $610K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.95 / yr | $160K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $267K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $440K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $62K |
| Drought | Low | 50.06 / yr | $123K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.95 / yr | $221K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.99 / yr | $313K |
| Lightning | Low | 59.94 / yr | $89K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $206K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.63 / yr | $7K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $20 |
| 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
McDuffie County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Biological (2), Severe Ice Storm (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 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for McDuffie County?
McDuffie County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McDuffie County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $610K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $160K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $267K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McDuffie County compare to other Georgia counties?
McDuffie County ranks #98 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has McDuffie County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for McDuffie 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. McDuffie County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.