Wilkinson County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Wilkinson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.6, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Wilkinson County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 4.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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.
Most of Wilkinson County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $272K in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $318K in expected annual loss and about 48.78 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $272K in expected annual loss and about 7.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wilkinson 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Wilkinson County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Wilkinson County ranks #150 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $272K |
| Drought | Low | 48.78 / yr | $318K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.32 / yr | $272K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.55 / yr | $356K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $108K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $297 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $13K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $158K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.31 / yr | $49K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 63.30 / yr | $25K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $46K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Wilkinson County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Severe Storm (3), Biological (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 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wilkinson County?
Wilkinson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wilkinson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $272K EAL), Drought (Low, $318K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $272K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wilkinson County compare to other Georgia counties?
Wilkinson County ranks #150 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wilkinson County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Wilkinson County since 1977, most often 7 for hurricane events and 3 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. Wilkinson County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.