Natural Disasters in Elberton, GA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
30.8
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
21.6
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
83.6
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
20.8
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Ice Storm | 77.9 |
| Heat Wave | 74.1 |
| Hurricane | 72.2 |
| Earthquake | 71.6 |
| Drought | 54.8 |
| Hail | 54.7 |
| Cold Wave | 45.9 |
| Wildfire | 41.1 |
| Tornado | 40.9 |
| Strong Wind | 35.5 |
| Lightning | 32.6 |
| Landslide | 31.8 |
| Winter Weather | 9.7 |
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
16
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
7 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 30, 2024 | Hurricane | HURRICANE HELENE |
| 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 |
| Apr 20, 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Feb 11, 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 24, 2004 | Hurricane | TROPICAL STORM FRANCES |
| Sep 18, 2004 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IVAN |
| Jan 28, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Mar 15, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL, WINTER STORM |
| Jul 20, 1977 | Drought | DROUGHT |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
5
Total Claims Paid
$13,732
Avg Claim Payout
$2,746
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$458,235
Disasters with PA
6
Total Projects
21
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4830 | Hurricane | 6 | $262,748 |
| DR-1554 | Hurricane | 7 | $55,219 |
| DR-4338 | Other | 1 | $47,143 |
| DR-1311 | Severe Storm(s) | 3 | $31,989 |
| DR-4215 | Severe Ice Storm | 1 | $31,761 |
| DR-1560 | Hurricane | 3 | $29,374 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
8
Federal Funding
$176,584
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.13
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 3 | $21,101 |
| 602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation | 2 | $12,686 |
| 403.1: Stormwater Management - Culverts | 1 | $94,797 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $19,500 |
| 91.3: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $28,500 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Elberton has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are ice storm, heat wave, hurricane. The area has had 16 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (7 declarations). 5 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $458,235 in public assistance recovery funding. 8 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.