Union County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Union County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.5, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Union County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 52.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Union County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $73K in expected annual loss and about 1.14 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 2.42 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $135K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Union County has a very 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Union County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1990, 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, Union County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.14 / yr | $73K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.42 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $135K |
| Lightning | Medium | 60.83 / yr | $333K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $397K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.18 / yr | $97K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.57 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Low | 35.74 / yr | $149K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $91K |
| Hail | Low | 4.16 / yr | $186K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.91 / yr | $356K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.79 / yr | $9K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / 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
Union County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1990, 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 |
| 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 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Union County?
Union County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Union County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $73K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $135K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Union County compare to other Georgia counties?
Union County ranks #54 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Union County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Union County since 1990, 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. Union County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.