Barbour County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Barbour County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.1, 48th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Barbour County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 48.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 48th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $304K in expected annual loss and about 47.86 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Barbour County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Barbour County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 12 for severe storm events and 11 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Barbour County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.11 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 47.86 / yr | $304K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.95 / yr | $516K |
| Lightning | Medium | 69.38 / yr | $266K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.52 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $193K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.25 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Hail | Low | 1.78 / yr | $109K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.53 / yr | $170K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.39 / yr | $18K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $78K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Barbour County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Hurricane (11), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| October 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Barbour County?
Barbour County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Barbour County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $304K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Barbour County compare to other Alabama counties?
Barbour County ranks #45 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Barbour County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Barbour County since 1975, most often 12 for severe storm events and 11 for hurricane 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. Barbour County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.