Autauga County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Autauga County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.6, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Autauga County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 57.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 58th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.53 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $791K in expected annual loss and about 68.50 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 59K.
Beyond physical exposure, Autauga County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Autauga County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 11 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Autauga County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.53 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 68.50 / yr | $791K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.51 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.61 / yr | $8K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $726K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $706K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $11M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.28 / yr | $583K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $36K |
| Drought | Low | 25.16 / yr | $106K |
| Hail | Low | 2.65 / yr | $212K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.40 / yr | $62K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.37 / yr | $380K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $7K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Autauga County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| December 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| October 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Autauga County?
Autauga County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Autauga County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $791K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Autauga County compare to other Alabama counties?
Autauga County ranks #37 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Autauga County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Autauga County since 1977, most often 11 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene, declared in September 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Autauga County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.