Wilkes County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Wilkes County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.9, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Wilkes County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 12.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $537K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $159K in expected annual loss and about 1.19 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $259K in expected annual loss and about 61.72 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wilkes County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Wilkes County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 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, Wilkes County ranks #125 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $537K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.19 / yr | $159K |
| Drought | Medium | 61.72 / yr | $259K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $311K |
| Hail | Low | 3.48 / yr | $148K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.42 / yr | $181K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.32 / yr | $368K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $340K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.71 / yr | $136K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $61 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 56.20 / yr | $34K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.58 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Wilkes County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Biological (2), Severe Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wilkes County?
Wilkes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wilkes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $537K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $159K EAL), Drought (Medium, $259K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wilkes County compare to other Georgia counties?
Wilkes County ranks #125 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wilkes County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Wilkes County since 1977, most often 7 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. Wilkes County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.