Cullman County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Cullman County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.9, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Cullman County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 81.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 82nd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 1.26 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.05 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.87 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $35M in expected annual loss for a population of 88K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cullman County has a 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: Cullman County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 15 for severe storm events and 8 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Cullman County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 1.26 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.05 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 63.69 / yr | $712K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.11 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.86 / yr | $15M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.10 / yr | $12K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $576K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $90K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $114K |
| Drought | Low | 27.73 / yr | $205K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.16 / yr | $57K |
| Hail | Low | 4.74 / yr | $126K |
| 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
Cullman County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Hurricane (8), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Thunderstorms |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 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 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cullman County?
Cullman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cullman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cullman County compare to other Alabama counties?
Cullman County ranks #19 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cullman County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Cullman County since 1973, most often 15 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. Cullman County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.