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Natural hazard risk in DeKalb County, Georgia

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Moderate (score 94.2 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$153.3 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1973
16[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$29.2 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
16[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) gives DeKalb County an overall natural hazard rating of Relatively Moderate[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores within the county are lightning, hail and inland flooding[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA rates the overall natural hazard risk for DeKalb County Relatively Moderate, with a score of 94.2 out of 100[5]. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards at $153.3 million a year[1]. This is FEMA's estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid[7]. The largest parts of that estimate come from inland flooding, tornado and earthquake, in that order[8]. FEMA rates social vulnerability Relatively Low[9] and community resilience Relatively Low[10]. Social vulnerability describes how susceptible social groups are to harm from natural hazards[9]. Community resilience describes a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[10].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
LightningVery High$3.7 million[11]
HailRelatively High$6.2 million[12]
Inland FloodingRelatively High$96.6 million[13]
TornadoRelatively High$14.8 million[14]
Strong WindRelatively High$3.2 million[15]
Ice StormVery High$1.7 million[16]
EarthquakeRelatively Moderate$13.2 million[17]
Cold WaveRelatively High$9.1 million[18]
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$3.9 million[19]
LandslideRelatively Low$13,000[20]
HurricaneRelatively Low$756,000[21]
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$109,000[22]
WildfireVery Low$32,000[23]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity[24].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Low37.7[9]
Community resilienceRelatively Low33.3[10]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively High compared with other US counties, with an Expected Annual Loss of $96.6 million a year[13]. OpenFEMA lists 2,331 residential flood insurance contracts in force as of 2026-08-03, a penetration rate of 1.1%[25]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 72.4% of homes are insured[25]. OpenFEMA's NFIP claims show 1,998 claims filed for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $29.2 million in total[3]. For the flood zone of a specific address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[26].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[13] Relatively High, $96.6 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[25] 2,331 of 220,247 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[25] 1,927, of which 1,396 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 1,998 filed, $29.2 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[26]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 16 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include DeKalb County since 1973[2]. The most recent is EM-3657-GA for Hurricane Isaias, declared 2026-10-09[27]. NOAA's tornado database records 16 tornadoes that touched the county from 1950 to 2024[4]. The strongest were rated F3, and the most recent recorded tornado was on 2024-12-29[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include DeKalb County, since 1973
Incident type Declarations
Hurricane[2] 5
Severe Storm[2] 4
Tropical Storm[2] 2
Drought[2] 1
Winter Storm[2] 1
Snowstorm[2] 1
Tornado[2] 1
Severe Ice Storm[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
EM-3657-GA[27] Hurricane Isaias 2026-10-09
EM-3642-GA[27] Severe Winter Storm 2026-01-24
EM-3616-GA[27] Hurricane Helene 2024-09-26
DR-4338-GA[27] Hurricane Irma 2017-09-15
EM-3387-GA[27] Hurricane Irma 2017-09-08

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Floods

Before

  • Check your flood risk with FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, and remember that floods do not follow map lines.
  • Sign up for your community's warning system. NOAA Weather Radio also broadcasts alerts.
  • Buy flood insurance through the NFIP well before a disaster. Homeowners policies do not cover flooding, and a new policy typically takes up to 30 days to go into effect.
  • Make a household plan with evacuation routes, shelter locations and what to do in a flash flood.
  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container and make password-protected digital copies.

During

  • If you are told to evacuate, leave right away and never drive around barricades.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving water can knock you down.
  • If you are trapped in a building, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, floods

Tornadoes

Before

  • Learn the warning signs: a rotating funnel cloud, an approaching cloud of debris or a loud roar like a freight train.
  • Sign up for community warning systems and learn what your local sirens sound like.
  • Pick a safe spot, such as a safe room built to FEMA criteria or an ICC 500 storm shelter, and practice getting there.
  • Include your pets in the household emergency plan.
  • Keep supplies, food, water and medication in case you have to stay home for a long time.

During

  • Go right away to the safe place you picked in advance.
  • Protect your head and neck with your arms and stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
  • No place in a car is fully safe. If you can get lower than the road, leave the car and lie down there.

Source: Ready.gov, tornadoes

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Questions people ask

Is DeKalb County at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively High for DeKalb County compared with other US counties[13]. FEMA estimates inland flooding accounts for $96.6 million a year of Expected Annual Loss[8].
Does DeKalb County get tornadoes?
FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively High compared with other US counties[14]. NOAA's tornado database records 16 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4].
Is DeKalb County at risk of earthquakes or wildfire?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Moderate[17] and wildfire risk Very Low compared with other US counties[23].
How many disasters have been declared in DeKalb County?
OpenFEMA lists 16 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include DeKalb County since 1973[2].
How do I check the flood zone of an address in DeKalb County?
Look up the address in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[26]. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of a single address[26].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in DeKalb County is $153.3 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Moderate, score 94.1). Of this, buildings account for $121.7 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 16 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include DeKalb County since 1973 (8 major disaster, 8 emergency or fire management). By incident type: hurricane 5, severe storm 4, tropical storm 2, drought 1, winter storm 1, snowstorm 1, tornado 1, severe ice... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 1,998 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in DeKalb County, 1,449 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $29.2 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid).... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 16 recorded tornadoes touched DeKalb County. The strongest were rated F3 (most recent of them on 1972-01-10). 1 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2024-12-29. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for DeKalb County is Relatively Moderate, with a Risk Index score of 94.2 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for DeKalb County are lightning (98.6, Very High), hail (98.0, Relatively High), inland flooding (96.2, Relatively High). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published scores; FEMA's... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  8. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for DeKalb County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($96.6 million a year), tornado ($14.8 million a year), earthquake ($13.2 million a year), out of $153.3 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for DeKalb County is Relatively Low (score 37.7). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for DeKalb County is Relatively Low (score 33.3). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Very High (score 98.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.7 million a year (rating Very High). Annualized frequency 61.14 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 98.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $6.2 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 5.39 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 96.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $96.6 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 1.93 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 26... FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 96.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $14.8 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 0.17 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 95.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.2 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 2.61 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Very High (score 95.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.7 million a year (rating Very High). Annualized frequency 1.39 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 94.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $13.2 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0021 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 93.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $9.1 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 0.84 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 92.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.9 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 2.27 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 77.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $13,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 72.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $756,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.05 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172 years for the... FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 65.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $109,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 2.63 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in DeKalb County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 43.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $32,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for DeKalb County: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  25. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 2,331 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in DeKalb County, out of 220,247 residential structures, a penetration rate of 1.1%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 1,927 residential structures and 1,396 contracts,... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  26. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  27. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.