Natural Disasters in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
67.0
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
71.3
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
25.9
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
45.9
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Ice Storm | 83.7 |
| Earthquake | 83.3 |
| Lightning | 80.0 |
| Tornado | 79.4 |
| Hail | 78.8 |
| Heat Wave | 73.1 |
| Hurricane | 71.3 |
| Cold Wave | 66.3 |
| Strong Wind | 57.1 |
| Drought | 44.8 |
| Landslide | 27.9 |
| Wildfire | 25.6 |
| Winter Weather | 17.8 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
13
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
4 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 26, 2024 | Tropical Storm | HURRICANE HELENE |
| Mar 29, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Oct 10, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE MICHAEL |
| Sep 15, 2017 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRMA |
| Sep 8, 2017 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRMA |
| Feb 11, 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Jan 28, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jul 20, 1977 | Drought | DROUGHT |
| Jun 11, 1973 | Tornado | SEVERE STORMS & TORNADOES |
| Apr 4, 1973 | Tornado | TORNADOES & FLOODING |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
546
Total IA Distributed
$3,303,262
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4830 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-1554 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4338 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4081 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4501 | 541 | $3,301,946 | — |
| DR-4503 | 1 | $1,316 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
37
Total Claims Paid
$203,003
Avg Claim Payout
$5,487
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$607,129
Disasters with PA
2
Total Projects
11
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4338 | Other | 6 | $430,240 |
| DR-1311 | Severe Storm(s) | 5 | $176,889 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
4
Federal Funding
$916,375
Properties Protected
10
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
2.21
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 2 | $813,123 |
| 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 1 | $75,000 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $28,252 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are ice storm, earthquake, lightning. The area has had 13 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (4 declarations). 37 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $607,129 in public assistance recovery funding. $3,303,262 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 4 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.