Rabun County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Rabun County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.3, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Rabun County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 45.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 45th 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 Rabun County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $58K in expected annual loss and about 1.26 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $516K in expected annual loss and about 60.77 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rabun 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: Rabun County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 8 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Rabun County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $58K |
| Lightning | Medium | 60.77 / yr | $516K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $79K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $170K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.18 / yr | $101K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.96 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $196K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.18 / yr | $741K |
| Hail | Low | 4.13 / yr | $104K |
| Drought | Low | 35.82 / yr | $25K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.24 / yr | $157K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.40 / yr | $6K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2 |
| 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
Rabun County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 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 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rabun County?
Rabun County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rabun County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $58K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $516K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rabun County compare to other Georgia counties?
Rabun County ranks #64 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rabun County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Rabun County since 1974, most often 8 for hurricane events and 4 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. Rabun County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.