Natural Disasters in Helen, GA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
45.7
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
48.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
40.2
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
23.3
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
21
Public Assistance
$985K
Individual Assistance
$104K
Most Common Type
Hurricane
7 declarations
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm → | Winter Storm | Jan 2026 | — | — |
| Hurricane Helene → | Hurricane | Sep 2024 | — | — |
| Hurricane Helene → | Tropical Storm | Sep 2024 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Tornadoes → | Severe Storm | May 2021 | $102K | — |
| Tropical Storm Zeta → | Hurricane | Jan 2021 | $121K | — |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $197K | $82K |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Irma → | Hurricane | Sep 2017 | $171K | — |
| Hurricane Irma → | Hurricane | Sep 2017 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storm → | Severe Ice Storm | Apr 2015 | $62K | — |
| Severe Winter Storm → | Severe Ice Storm | Mar 2014 | $12K | — |
| Severe Winter Storm → | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 2014 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding → | Severe Storm | Apr 2011 | $1K | $145 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | — | — |
| Hurricane Ivan → | Hurricane | Sep 2004 | $81K | $23K |
| Severe Winter Storm → | Severe Storm | Jan 2000 | $236K | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Mar 1998 | — | — |
| Hurricane Opal → | Hurricane | Oct 1995 | — | — |
| Tornadoes, Flooding, and Severe Storms → | Tornado | Mar 1994 | — | — |
| Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm → | Snowstorm | Mar 1993 | — | — |
Showing 20 of 21 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
58
Total Claims Paid
$693,377
Avg Claim Payout
$11,955
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
9
Federal Funding
$373,532
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.00
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) | 7 | $150,547 |
| 91.3: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $16,288 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $206,697 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Helen has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are cold wave, strong wind, landslide. The area has had 21 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (7 declarations). 58 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $985,287 in public assistance recovery funding. $104,306 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 9 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.