White County

Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

45.7

National percentile: 46th

White County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.7, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and strong wind 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 Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 28K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Cold Wave
Medium $4M/yr
Strong Wind
Medium $1M/yr
Landslide
Low $6K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Cold Wave Medium 2.37 / yr $4M
Strong Wind Medium 2.55 / yr $1M
Landslide Low 0.73 / yr $6K
Ice Storm Medium 1.68 / yr $200K
Lightning Medium 61.77 / yr $404K
Tornado Low 0.13 / yr $2M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $442K
Hurricane Very Low 0.02 / yr $163K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $49K
Riverine Flood Low 0.79 / yr $6M
Hail Low 4.74 / yr $208K
Drought Low 38.03 / yr $77K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.42 / yr $30K
Winter Weather Very Low 7.37 / yr $10K
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 White County?

White County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in White County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $6K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does White County compare to other Georgia counties?

White County ranks #62 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. White County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.