Murray County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Murray County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.5, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Murray County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 51.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 51st 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.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 2.16 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 40K.
Beyond physical exposure, Murray County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Murray County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1974, 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, Murray County ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.16 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.55 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Medium | 62.25 / yr | $405K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.04 / yr | $708K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $54K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $89K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Low | 4.67 / yr | $238K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.63 / yr | $63K |
| Drought | Low | 30.17 / yr | $80K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $121K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.79 / yr | $16K |
| 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
Murray County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1974, 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 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| March 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 1995 | Hurricane | Hurricane Opal |
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 Murray County?
Murray County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Murray County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Murray County compare to other Georgia counties?
Murray County ranks #56 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Murray County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Murray County since 1974, 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. Murray County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.