Wilkes County
Georgia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Wilkes County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.9, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $537K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.19 / yr | $159K |
| Drought | Medium | 61.72 / yr | $259K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $311K |
| Hail | Low | 3.48 / yr | $148K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.42 / yr | $181K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.32 / yr | $368K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $340K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.71 / yr | $136K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $61 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 56.20 / yr | $34K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.58 / yr | $2K |
| 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 Wilkes County?
Wilkes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wilkes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $537K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $159K EAL), Drought (Medium, $259K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wilkes County compare to other Georgia counties?
Wilkes County ranks #125 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Wilkes County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.