Wheeler County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Wheeler County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.4, 6th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.19 / yr | $450K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.95 / yr | $200K |
| Drought | Low | 27.04 / yr | $67K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $72K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $340K |
| Lightning | Low | 68.23 / yr | $57K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $6K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.35 / yr | $68K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.16 / yr | $23K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $827K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $42K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $3 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $829 |
| 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 Wheeler County?
Wheeler County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 6th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wheeler County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $450K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $200K EAL), Drought (Low, $67K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wheeler County compare to other Georgia counties?
Wheeler County ranks #146 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. Wheeler County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.