Walton County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Walton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.0, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Walton County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 55.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $323K in expected annual loss and about 1.20 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.20 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $735K in expected annual loss and about 4.78 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 97K.
Beyond physical exposure, Walton County has a very low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Walton County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 3 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, Walton County ranks #48 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.20 / yr | $323K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Low | 4.78 / yr | $735K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 56.95 / yr | $619K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.38 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $13M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.32 / yr | $711K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $151K |
| Drought | Low | 45.35 / yr | $188K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $571 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.37 / yr | $470K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.16 / yr | $14K |
| 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
Walton County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (3), Biological (2), Tornado (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 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 1993 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Walton County?
Walton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Walton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $323K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Hail (Low, $735K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Walton County compare to other Georgia counties?
Walton County ranks #48 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Walton County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Walton County since 1973, most often 3 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. Walton County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.