DeKalb County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
DeKalb County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.3, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $153M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Very High | 61.14 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | High | 5.39 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.93 / yr | $97M |
| Tornado | High | 0.17 / yr | $15M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.39 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.61 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $13M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.84 / yr | $9M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.27 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.46 / yr | $13K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $756K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.63 / yr | $109K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 29.02 / 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 DeKalb County?
DeKalb County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in DeKalb County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Very High, $4M EAL), Hail (High, $6M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $97M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does DeKalb County compare to other Georgia counties?
DeKalb County ranks #5 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. DeKalb County's $153M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.