Stewart County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Stewart County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.9, 6th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Stewart County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 5.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 6th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $119K in expected annual loss and about 0.10 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $119K in expected annual loss and about 59.46 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $154K in expected annual loss and about 68.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stewart County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Stewart County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 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, Stewart County ranks #147 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.10 / yr | $119K |
| Drought | Low | 59.46 / yr | $119K |
| Lightning | Low | 68.46 / yr | $154K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $514 |
| Tornado | Low | 0.36 / yr | $558K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.58 / yr | $80K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.92 / yr | $18K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $625K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.38 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $31K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $5K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $490 |
| 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
Stewart County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Stewart County?
Stewart County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 6th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stewart County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $119K EAL), Drought (Low, $119K EAL), Lightning (Low, $154K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stewart County compare to other Georgia counties?
Stewart County ranks #147 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stewart County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Stewart County since 1977, most often 6 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. Stewart County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.