Terrell County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Terrell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.5, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Terrell County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 16.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th 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 Terrell County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $878K in expected annual loss and about 51.91 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $590K in expected annual loss and about 0.15 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $199K in expected annual loss and about 1.76 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Terrell County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Terrell County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1994, including 5 for hurricane events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (tropical storm), declared in September 2024.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Terrell County ranks #119 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 51.91 / yr | $878K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.15 / yr | $590K |
| Hail | Low | 1.76 / yr | $199K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.24 / yr | $920K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Lightning | Low | 69.72 / yr | $125K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.21 / yr | $494K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $114K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.32 / yr | $93K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.42 / yr | $87K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $3K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $3 |
| 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
Terrell County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1994, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Biological (2), Tropical Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| March 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 1994 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding Torrential Rain(Trop Storm Alberto) |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Terrell County?
Terrell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Terrell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $878K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $590K EAL), Hail (Low, $199K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Terrell County compare to other Georgia counties?
Terrell County ranks #119 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Terrell County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Terrell County since 1994, most often 5 for hurricane events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene, declared in September 2024.
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. Terrell County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.