Toombs County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 43th
Toombs County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.7, 43th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Toombs County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 42.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 43rd 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 Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $643K in expected annual loss and about 21.25 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $512K in expected annual loss and about 68.43 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Toombs 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.
History supports the rating: Toombs County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 10 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Toombs County ranks #70 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 21.25 / yr | $643K |
| Lightning | Medium | 68.43 / yr | $512K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $552K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.79 / yr | $573K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.18 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $47K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.36 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Low | 2.23 / yr | $125K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.17 / yr | $30K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.40 / yr | $238K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $179K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $26 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.37 / 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
Toombs County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Tropical Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Toombs County?
Toombs County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 43th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Toombs County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $643K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $512K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Toombs County compare to other Georgia counties?
Toombs County ranks #70 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Toombs County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Toombs County since 1966, most often 10 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical 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. Toombs County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.