Morgan County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Morgan County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 19.4, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Morgan County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 19.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 19th 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $177K in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $267K in expected annual loss and about 58.04 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $353K 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 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Morgan County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Morgan County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 4 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, Morgan County ranks #110 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $177K |
| Drought | Low | 58.04 / yr | $267K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $353K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.94 / yr | $90K |
| Hail | Low | 4.20 / yr | $212K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.22 / yr | $918K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.21 / yr | $224K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.24 / yr | $376K |
| Lightning | Low | 58.08 / yr | $108K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $172K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $64 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.63 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Morgan County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), 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 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Morgan County?
Morgan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 19.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Morgan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Very Low, $177K EAL), Drought (Low, $267K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $353K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Morgan County compare to other Georgia counties?
Morgan County ranks #110 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Morgan County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Morgan County since 1977, most often 4 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. Morgan County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.