Crenshaw County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Crenshaw County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.4, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Crenshaw County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 34.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.12 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $202K in expected annual loss and about 71.44 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Crenshaw 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: Crenshaw County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 13 for hurricane events and 11 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Crenshaw County ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.52 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 71.44 / yr | $202K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.32 / yr | $228K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $464 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.75 / yr | $248K |
| Drought | Low | 24.74 / yr | $31K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $79K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $241K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.69 / yr | $32K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.89 / 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
Crenshaw County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (13), Severe Storm (11), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Crenshaw County?
Crenshaw County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Crenshaw County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $202K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Crenshaw County compare to other Alabama counties?
Crenshaw County ranks #56 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Crenshaw County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Crenshaw County since 1975, most often 13 for hurricane events and 11 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. Crenshaw County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.