Bullock County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Bullock County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.3, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Bullock County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 39.17 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $699K in expected annual loss and about 0.12 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $934K in expected annual loss and about 0.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bullock County has a very 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: Bullock County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 10 for hurricane events and 9 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Bullock County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 39.17 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.12 / yr | $699K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.58 / yr | $934K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.57 / yr | $358K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.95 / yr | $222K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $128K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $419 |
| Lightning | Low | 68.50 / yr | $97K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.19 / yr | $53K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.49 / yr | $7K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $45K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.95 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Bullock County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Severe Storm (9), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| 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 |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | 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 Bullock County?
Bullock County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bullock County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $699K EAL), Tornado (Low, $934K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bullock County compare to other Alabama counties?
Bullock County ranks #64 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bullock County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Bullock County since 1975, most often 10 for hurricane events and 9 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. Bullock County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.