Laurens County

Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

50.5

National percentile: 51th

Laurens County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.5, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $14M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 49K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Drought
Medium $1M/yr
Heat Wave
Medium $1M/yr
Hurricane
Low $1M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Drought Medium 37.52 / yr $1M
Heat Wave Medium 7.89 / yr $1M
Hurricane Low 0.14 / yr $1M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $809K
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $105K
Lightning Medium 65.89 / yr $298K
Riverine Flood Low 0.61 / yr $7M
Hail Low 2.21 / yr $233K
Strong Wind Low 1.50 / yr $468K
Tornado Low 0.42 / yr $1M
Cold Wave Low 0.26 / yr $312K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.36 / yr $21K
Landslide Very Low 0.14 / yr $123
Winter Weather Very Low 0.53 / yr $9K
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 Laurens County?

Laurens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Laurens County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Laurens County compare to other Georgia counties?

Laurens County ranks #58 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. Laurens County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.