Natural Disasters in Gainesville, GA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
84.3
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
85.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
27.1
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
24.2
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Tornado | 94.1 |
| Lightning | 92.4 |
| Cold Wave | 87.4 |
| Hail | 86.1 |
| Earthquake | 84.3 |
| Landslide | 82.6 |
| Ice Storm | 82.4 |
| Strong Wind | 70.6 |
| Hurricane | 66.9 |
| Heat Wave | 66.4 |
| Wildfire | 50.4 |
| Drought | 40.6 |
| Winter Weather | 34.2 |
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
19
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Jan 28, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Mar 11, 1998 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Oct 10, 1995 | Hurricane | HURRICANE OPAL |
| Mar 15, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL, WINTER STORM |
| Mar 4, 1993 | Tornado | TORNADOES, HIGH WINDS & HEAVY RAINS |
| Jul 20, 1977 | Drought | DROUGHT |
| Jun 11, 1976 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Apr 5, 1974 | Tornado | TORNADOES |
| Mar 14, 1966 | Flood | FLOODING |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
46
Total Claims Paid
$733,454
Avg Claim Payout
$15,945
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$2,875,917
Disasters with PA
6
Total Projects
40
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4338 | Other | 14 | $923,311 |
| DR-4215 | Severe Ice Storm | 10 | $610,679 |
| DR-1311 | Severe Storm(s) | 6 | $601,623 |
| DR-4579 | Tropical Storm | 6 | $599,172 |
| DR-4501 | Biological | 3 | $130,958 |
| DR-3218 | Hurricane | 1 | $10,173 |
Gainesville has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are tornado, lightning, cold wave. The area has had 19 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (5 declarations). 46 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $2,875,917 in public assistance recovery funding.