Newton County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Newton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.6, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Newton County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 50.6 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $382K in expected annual loss and about 1.34 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $815K in expected annual loss and about 5.04 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 112K.
Beyond physical exposure, Newton County has a very low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Newton County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Newton County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.34 / yr | $382K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.17 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Low | 5.04 / yr | $815K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.45 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $715K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $13M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $843K |
| Lightning | Medium | 59.45 / yr | $467K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $158K |
| Drought | Low | 43.79 / yr | $136K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.37 / yr | $831K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $316 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.63 / yr | $14K |
| 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
Newton County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Hurricane (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Newton County?
Newton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.6 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 Newton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $382K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Hail (Low, $815K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Newton County compare to other Georgia counties?
Newton County ranks #57 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Newton County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Newton County since 1977, most often 7 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane 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. Newton County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.