White County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
White County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.7, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
White County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 45.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 2.37 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.55 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $6K in expected annual loss and about 0.73 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, White County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: White County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 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, White County ranks #62 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.37 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.55 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.73 / yr | $6K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $200K |
| Lightning | Medium | 61.77 / yr | $404K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $442K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $163K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Low | 4.74 / yr | $208K |
| Drought | Low | 38.03 / yr | $77K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $30K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.37 / yr | $10K |
| 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
White County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Severe Storm (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| May 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for White County?
White County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in White County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $6K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does White County compare to other Georgia counties?
White County ranks #62 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has White County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for White County since 1977, most often 7 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. White County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.