Chilton County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Chilton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 54.7, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Chilton County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 54.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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 tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.64 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $10K in expected annual loss and about 0.90 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $748K in expected annual loss and about 8.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 45K.
Beyond physical exposure, Chilton County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Chilton County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Chilton County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.90 / yr | $10K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.53 / yr | $748K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $566K |
| Lightning | Medium | 69.51 / yr | $359K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $94K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $8M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $145K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $845K |
| Drought | Low | 29.01 / yr | $66K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.36 / yr | $243K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $19K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.06 / yr | $69K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.84 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Chilton County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| December 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| 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 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| February 2012 | 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 Chilton County?
Chilton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 54.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chilton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL), Landslide (Low, $10K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $748K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chilton County compare to other Alabama counties?
Chilton County ranks #38 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Chilton County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Chilton County since 1973, most often 10 for hurricane events and 7 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. Chilton County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.