Towns County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Towns County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.6, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Towns County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 39.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $37K in expected annual loss and about 0.57 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.42 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $67K in expected annual loss and about 1.04 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Towns County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Towns County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1993, 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, Towns County ranks #75 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.57 / yr | $37K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.42 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.04 / yr | $67K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.25 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Low | 59.27 / yr | $150K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $46K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $157K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.08 / yr | $736K |
| Drought | Low | 33.41 / yr | $46K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.88 / yr | $171K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.81 / yr | $67K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.79 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / 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
Towns County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Biological (2), Severe Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Towns County?
Towns County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Towns County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $37K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $67K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Towns County compare to other Georgia counties?
Towns County ranks #75 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Towns County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Towns County since 1993, 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. Towns County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.