Bibb County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Bibb County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.1, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide 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
Overall natural disaster risk in Bibb County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 39.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 39th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $9K in expected annual loss and about 1.19 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.60 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $385K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bibb County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Bibb County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 9 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Bibb County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.19 / yr | $9K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $385K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.47 / yr | $421K |
| Lightning | Low | 71.06 / yr | $191K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.57 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $483K |
| Drought | Low | 29.53 / yr | $27K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.41 / yr | $22K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $104K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.21 / yr | $32K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.47 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Bibb County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Severe Storm (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| April 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bibb County?
Bibb County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bibb County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $9K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $385K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bibb County compare to other Alabama counties?
Bibb County ranks #52 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bibb County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Bibb County since 1973, most often 9 for hurricane events and 6 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. Bibb County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.