Butler County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Butler County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.2, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning 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 Butler County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 45.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 45th 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.
Most of Butler County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.12 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $596K in expected annual loss and about 71.94 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $684K in expected annual loss and about 1.76 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Butler County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Butler County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 14 for hurricane events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Butler County ranks #48 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | High | 71.94 / yr | $596K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.76 / yr | $684K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.37 / yr | $324K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $208K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $522 |
| Drought | Low | 19.58 / yr | $33K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $382K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.65 / yr | $39K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Butler County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (14), Severe Storm (10), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| December 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 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 Butler County?
Butler County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Butler County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Lightning (High, $596K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $684K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Butler County compare to other Alabama counties?
Butler County ranks #48 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Butler County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Butler County since 1977, most often 14 for hurricane events and 10 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. Butler County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.