Natural Disasters in Varnell, GA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
81.5
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
78.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
59.0
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
12.0
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Tornado | 94.0 |
| Cold Wave | 92.2 |
| Earthquake | 90.6 |
| Lightning | 86.8 |
| Winter Weather | 85.0 |
| Hail | 77.8 |
| Strong Wind | 77.4 |
| Landslide | 71.9 |
| Ice Storm | 70.4 |
| Hurricane | 60.6 |
| Wildfire | 58.0 |
| Heat Wave | 49.6 |
| Drought | 36.8 |
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
4 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 |
| Sep 15, 2017 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRMA |
| Sep 8, 2017 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRMA |
| 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 |
| Oct 10, 1995 | Hurricane | HURRICANE OPAL |
| Mar 31, 1994 | Tornado | TORNADOES, FLOODING, AND SEVERE STORMS |
| Mar 15, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL, WINTER STORM |
| Feb 23, 1990 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNAODES & FLOODING |
| Jul 20, 1977 | Drought | DROUGHT |
| Apr 5, 1974 | Tornado | TORNADOES |
| Apr 4, 1973 | Tornado | TORNADOES & FLOODING |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
1,239
Total IA Distributed
$2,076,504
Repair/Replace
$707,516
Rental Assistance
$429,935
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1464 | 3 | N/A | — |
| DR-1973 | 907 | $999,747 | $2,038 |
| DR-1974 | 139 | $466,996 | $12,662 |
| DR-4501 | 75 | $411,321 | — |
| DR-1858 | 112 | $194,805 | $3,081 |
| DR-4514 | 3 | $3,634 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
93
Total Claims Paid
$5,185,711
Avg Claim Payout
$55,760
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$3,663,361
Disasters with PA
6
Total Projects
22
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1973 | Severe Storm(s) | 7 | $1,817,051 |
| DR-4501 | Biological | 6 | $1,098,457 |
| DR-1311 | Severe Storm(s) | 1 | $381,827 |
| DR-4165 | Severe Ice Storm | 3 | $283,155 |
| DR-1858 | Severe Storm(s) | 4 | $75,966 |
| DR-3218 | Hurricane | 1 | $6,906 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
7
Federal Funding
$136,383
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) | 4 | $47,639 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 2 | $58,593 |
| 91.3: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $30,151 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Varnell has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are tornado, cold wave, earthquake. The area has had 16 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (4 declarations). 93 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $3,663,361 in public assistance recovery funding. $2,076,504 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 7 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.