Stephens County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Stephens County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.4, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Stephens County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 33.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 33rd 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 Stephens County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $243K in expected annual loss and about 1.61 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $700K 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 — $342K in expected annual loss and about 4.55 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stephens 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Stephens County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 6 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, Stephens County ranks #84 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.61 / yr | $243K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $700K |
| Hail | Low | 4.55 / yr | $342K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $159K |
| Lightning | Medium | 59.48 / yr | $242K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.10 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.21 / yr | $725K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.22 / yr | $270K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.42 / yr | $110K |
| Drought | Very Low | 40.74 / yr | $6K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.88 / 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
Stephens County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Biological (2), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Stephens County?
Stephens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stephens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $243K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $700K EAL), Hail (Low, $342K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stephens County compare to other Georgia counties?
Stephens County ranks #84 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stephens County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Stephens County since 1976, most often 6 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. Stephens County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.