Pickens County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Pickens County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.8, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pickens County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 34.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $9K in expected annual loss and about 0.72 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $495K in expected annual loss and about 60.72 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pickens County has a low 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: Pickens County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 6 for hurricane events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Pickens County ranks #83 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.72 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Medium | 60.72 / yr | $495K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.26 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $83K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $436K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.39 / yr | $527K |
| Hail | Low | 5.33 / yr | $223K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.54 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $33K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.79 / yr | $52K |
| Drought | Low | 36.65 / yr | $55K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.05 / yr | $16K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $45K |
| 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
Pickens County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (5), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| May 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| January 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| 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 |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Pickens County?
Pickens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pickens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $9K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $495K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pickens County compare to other Georgia counties?
Pickens County ranks #83 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pickens County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Pickens County since 1974, most often 6 for hurricane events and 5 for severe storm 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. Pickens County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.