Chambers County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Chambers County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.2, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Chambers County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 47.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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 — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.16 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $439K in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 35K.
Beyond physical exposure, Chambers County has a 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: Chambers County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 10 for severe storm events and 8 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Chambers County ranks #46 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.16 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $439K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 63.61 / yr | $228K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $294K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $38K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.52 / yr | $37K |
| Hail | Low | 3.59 / yr | $125K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $456K |
| Drought | Low | 54.34 / yr | $43K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.70 / yr | $223K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $168 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.42 / 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
Chambers County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Hurricane (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| May 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| January 2016 | 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 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Chambers County?
Chambers County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chambers County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $439K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chambers County compare to other Alabama counties?
Chambers County ranks #46 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Chambers County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Chambers County since 1970, most often 10 for severe storm events and 8 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. Chambers County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.