Spalding County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Spalding County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.9, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Spalding County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 40.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st 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.
Most of Spalding County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $967K in expected annual loss and about 2.49 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $734K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $523K in expected annual loss and about 4.91 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 67K.
Beyond physical exposure, Spalding 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: Spalding County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 5 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, Spalding County ranks #73 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.49 / yr | $967K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $734K |
| Hail | Low | 4.91 / yr | $523K |
| Lightning | Medium | 62.01 / yr | $396K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $147K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $515K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.98 / yr | $110K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $8M |
| Drought | Low | 49.99 / yr | $141K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $56 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $131K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Spalding County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Spalding County?
Spalding County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Spalding County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $967K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $734K EAL), Hail (Low, $523K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Spalding County compare to other Georgia counties?
Spalding County ranks #73 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Spalding County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Spalding County since 1977, most often 5 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. Spalding County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.