Colbert County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Colbert County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.7, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Colbert County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 80.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 81st 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 Colbert County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.42 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $35M in expected annual loss for a population of 57K.
Beyond physical exposure, Colbert County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Colbert County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 7 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Colbert County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.42 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | High | 62.22 / yr | $763K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.95 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.86 / yr | $14M |
| Drought | Low | 18.08 / yr | $226K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $168K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.92 / yr | $103K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $577 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.21 / yr | $25K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.07 / yr | $87K |
| 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
Colbert County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Hurricane (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| May 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 |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Colbert County?
Colbert County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Colbert County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $6M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Colbert County compare to other Alabama counties?
Colbert County ranks #20 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Colbert County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Colbert County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 7 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. Colbert County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.