Putnam County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Putnam County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.3, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Putnam County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 53.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 53rd 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.
Most of Putnam County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $800K in expected annual loss and about 56.53 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $483K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.54 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Putnam 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: Putnam County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 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, Putnam County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 56.53 / yr | $800K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $483K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.54 / yr | $8M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $72K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $302K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.75 / yr | $87K |
| Hail | Low | 3.61 / yr | $235K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.11 / yr | $349K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.21 / yr | $843K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.12 / yr | $291K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.37 / yr | $286K |
| Lightning | Low | 59.59 / yr | $68K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $155 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.26 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Putnam County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Biological (2), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
| January 2017 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Putnam County?
Putnam County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Putnam County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $800K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $483K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Putnam County compare to other Georgia counties?
Putnam County ranks #51 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Putnam County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Putnam County since 1977, most often 7 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. Putnam County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.