McIntosh County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
McIntosh County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.6, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
McIntosh County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 66.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 67th 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 High risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.35 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $589K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Medium risk — $722K in expected annual loss and about 3.65 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, McIntosh County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: McIntosh County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 10 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, McIntosh County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.35 / yr | $13M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $589K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.65 / yr | $722K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.66 / yr | $240K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $174K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.37 / yr | $30K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.94 / yr | $229K |
| Lightning | Low | 64.43 / yr | $78K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.77 / yr | $43K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $138K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $108K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $26 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.41 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 20.21 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
McIntosh County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Tropical Storm (3), Severe Storm (3).
| 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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for McIntosh County?
McIntosh County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McIntosh County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $13M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $589K EAL), Coastal Flood (Medium, $722K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McIntosh County compare to other Georgia counties?
McIntosh County ranks #33 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has McIntosh County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for McIntosh County since 1977, most often 10 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. McIntosh County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.