Natural Disasters in Ellijay, GA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
68.1
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
59.1
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
78.7
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
14.4
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Landslide | 95.9 |
| Cold Wave | 80.7 |
| Lightning | 80.3 |
| Tornado | 75.3 |
| Earthquake | 72.0 |
| Wildfire | 71.3 |
| Drought | 62.2 |
| Hurricane | 59.6 |
| Strong Wind | 59.0 |
| Hail | 58.0 |
| Ice Storm | 53.1 |
| Winter Weather | 30.6 |
| Heat Wave | 7.0 |
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
20
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 |
| May 5, 2021 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES |
| Jan 12, 2021 | Hurricane | TROPICAL STORM ZETA |
| Mar 29, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Sep 15, 2017 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRMA |
| Sep 8, 2017 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRMA |
| Feb 26, 2016 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Mar 6, 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Feb 11, 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2004 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IVAN |
| Jan 28, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Oct 10, 1995 | Hurricane | HURRICANE OPAL |
| Mar 15, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL, WINTER STORM |
| Feb 23, 1990 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNAODES & FLOODING |
| Mar 13, 1979 | Flood | RAIN, FLOODING, MUDSLIDE |
| Apr 5, 1974 | Tornado | TORNADOES |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
197
Total Claims Paid
$5,191,340
Avg Claim Payout
$26,352
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$3,380,438
Disasters with PA
7
Total Projects
79
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1554 | Hurricane | 47 | $1,520,760 |
| DR-4259 | Severe Storm(s) | 12 | $802,766 |
| DR-1311 | Severe Storm(s) | 7 | $540,790 |
| DR-4600 | Severe Storm(s) | 6 | $337,535 |
| DR-4579 | Tropical Storm | 2 | $133,239 |
| DR-4338 | Other | 3 | $33,299 |
| DR-4165 | Severe Ice Storm | 2 | $12,051 |
Ellijay has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, cold wave, lightning. The area has had 20 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (7 declarations). 197 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $3,380,438 in public assistance recovery funding.