Pierce County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Pierce County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.7, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pierce County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 22.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $180K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $161K in expected annual loss and about 20.45 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pierce County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pierce County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 10 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Pierce County ranks #101 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $180K |
| Drought | Low | 20.45 / yr | $161K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $192K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.47 / yr | $228K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $810K |
| Lightning | Low | 73.28 / yr | $154K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.21 / yr | $536K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.02 / yr | $123K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.86 / yr | $38K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $3K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $4 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $247 |
| 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
Pierce County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Tropical Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pierce County?
Pierce County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pierce County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $180K EAL), Drought (Low, $161K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pierce County compare to other Georgia counties?
Pierce County ranks #101 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pierce County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Pierce County since 1977, most often 10 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene, declared in September 2024.
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. Pierce County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.