Pickens County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.