Natural Disasters in Columbus, GA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
81.6
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
79.2
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
58.2
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
42.6
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Lightning | 94.1 |
| Heat Wave | 91.0 |
| Earthquake | 84.4 |
| Hurricane | 82.3 |
| Hail | 81.2 |
| Strong Wind | 75.5 |
| Landslide | 73.8 |
| Tornado | 71.3 |
| Wildfire | 61.1 |
| Ice Storm | 58.0 |
| Winter Weather | 27.0 |
| Drought | 26.0 |
| Cold Wave | 13.6 |
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
5 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 26, 2016 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Mar 3, 2007 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Mar 11, 1998 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Oct 10, 1995 | Hurricane | HURRICANE OPAL |
| Feb 23, 1990 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNAODES & FLOODING |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
905
Total IA Distributed
$5,048,197
Repair/Replace
$1,275
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4176 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4419 | 2 | N/A | — |
| DR-1554 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-1466 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4284 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4501 | 860 | $4,890,616 | — |
| DR-4503 | 32 | $154,756 | — |
| DR-1549 | 5 | $1,275 | $820 |
| DR-4830 | 1 | $1,050 | — |
| DR-4611 | 1 | $500 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
242
Total Claims Paid
$2,329,944
Avg Claim Payout
$9,628
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$9,127,188
Disasters with PA
5
Total Projects
29
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4501 | Biological | 3 | $5,047,229 |
| DR-4259 | Severe Storm(s) | 18 | $2,394,951 |
| DR-3218 | Hurricane | 2 | $694,907 |
| DR-1686 | Severe Storm(s) | 2 | $585,451 |
| DR-4338 | Other | 4 | $404,649 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
1
Federal Funding
$20,191
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.00
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $20,191 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Columbus has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are lightning, heat wave, earthquake. The area has had 13 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (5 declarations). 242 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $9,127,188 in public assistance recovery funding. $5,048,197 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 1 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.