Banks County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Banks County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.4, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $250K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.54 / yr | $142K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.52 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Low | 40.90 / yr | $226K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $224K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.26 / yr | $464K |
| Lightning | Low | 57.80 / yr | $170K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $676K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.13 / yr | $837K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.59 / yr | $152K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.32 / yr | $117K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.53 / yr | $5K |
| 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 Banks County?
Banks County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Banks County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $250K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $142K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Banks County compare to other Georgia counties?
Banks County ranks #127 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. Banks County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.