Washington County

Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

23.8

National percentile: 24th

Washington County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.8, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $6M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 20K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Drought
Medium $1M/yr
Hurricane
Low $625K/yr
Earthquake
Low $443K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Drought Medium 50.96 / yr $1M
Hurricane Low 0.08 / yr $625K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $443K
Heat Wave Low 7.37 / yr $452K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $44K
Ice Storm Low 0.66 / yr $70K
Hail Low 2.45 / yr $137K
Tornado Low 0.33 / yr $549K
Landslide Very Low 0.23 / yr $333
Strong Wind Low 2.17 / yr $192K
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.32 / yr $2M
Lightning Low 61.77 / yr $69K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.26 / yr $198K
Winter Weather Very Low 0.79 / yr $4K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?

Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $625K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $443K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Washington County compare to other Georgia counties?

Washington County ranks #99 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

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. Washington County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.