Taylor County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Taylor County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.1, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Taylor County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 10.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $505K in expected annual loss and about 55.67 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $266K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $25K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Taylor 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 federal record bears this out: Taylor County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 5 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Taylor County ranks #131 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 55.67 / yr | $505K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $266K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.89 / yr | $142K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $68K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $337K |
| Lightning | Low | 65.82 / yr | $68K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $64K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.66 / yr | $151K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $94 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $50K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $2K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Taylor County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Severe Storm (3), 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 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
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 Taylor County?
Taylor County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Taylor County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $505K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $266K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $25K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Taylor County compare to other Georgia counties?
Taylor County ranks #131 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Taylor County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Taylor County since 1966, most often 5 for hurricane events and 3 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. Taylor County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.