Whitfield County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Whitfield County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.5, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $38M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.18 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.53 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | High | 62.46 / yr | $847K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 5.63 / yr | $231K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.71 / yr | $652K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.05 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $14M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.40 / yr | $6K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.63 / yr | $190K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $187K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $63K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.53 / yr | $306K |
| Drought | Low | 27.45 / yr | $42K |
| 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 Whitfield County?
Whitfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Whitfield County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $9M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Whitfield County compare to other Georgia counties?
Whitfield County ranks #16 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. Whitfield County's $38M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.