Polk County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Polk County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.1, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Polk County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 64.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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 tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $665K in expected annual loss and about 31.06 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $717K in expected annual loss and about 3.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Polk County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Polk County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 4 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Polk County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 31.06 / yr | $665K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.21 / yr | $717K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $734K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.36 / yr | $5K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $125K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.71 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Medium | 62.64 / yr | $240K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $157K |
| Hail | Low | 5.46 / yr | $234K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.58 / yr | $57K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.16 / yr | $159K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Polk County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Severe Storm (3), Biological (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 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| March 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
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 Polk County?
Polk County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Polk County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Drought (Medium, $665K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $717K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Polk County compare to other Georgia counties?
Polk County ranks #39 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Polk County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Polk County since 1974, most often 4 for hurricane events and 3 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. Polk County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.