Fayette County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Fayette County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.3, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 64.92 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.14 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.18 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $19M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.96 / yr | $257K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $268K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.63 / yr | $738K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.52 / yr | $910K |
| Drought | Low | 43.57 / yr | $126K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $323K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $152 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.58 / yr | $16K |
| 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 Fayette County?
Fayette County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fayette County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fayette County compare to other Georgia counties?
Fayette County ranks #41 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Fayette County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.