Peach County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Peach County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.5, 22th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Peach County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 22.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 22nd 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 Peach County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 42.22 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $608K in expected annual loss and about 0.10 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $750K in expected annual loss and about 7.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Peach County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Peach County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 6 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, Peach County ranks #102 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 42.22 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.10 / yr | $608K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.05 / yr | $750K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.52 / yr | $765K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $65K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $285K |
| Lightning | Low | 64.34 / yr | $226K |
| Hail | Low | 2.54 / yr | $183K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.09 / yr | $400K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $13K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $170K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $70 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Peach County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), 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 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Peach County?
Peach County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Peach County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $608K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $750K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Peach County compare to other Georgia counties?
Peach County ranks #102 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Peach County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Peach County since 1966, most often 6 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. Peach County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.