Richmond County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Richmond County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.4, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $57M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Richmond County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 87.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 87th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 4.16 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.20 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 62.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $57M in expected annual loss for a population of 206K.
Beyond physical exposure, Richmond County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Richmond County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 5 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Richmond County ranks #6 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.16 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | High | 0.20 / yr | $10M |
| Lightning | High | 62.40 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.14 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.63 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.11 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $24M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.86 / yr | $793K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $118K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $2K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.58 / yr | $75K |
| Drought | Low | 41.09 / yr | $27K |
| 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
Richmond County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Richmond County?
Richmond County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Richmond County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Tornado (High, $10M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Richmond County compare to other Georgia counties?
Richmond County ranks #6 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Richmond County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Richmond County since 1977, most often 5 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical 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. Richmond County's $57M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.