Elmore County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Elmore County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.2, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.00 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 66.73 / yr | $779K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.46 / yr | $19M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.43 / yr | $10K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.55 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $973K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.22 / yr | $786K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $89K |
| Drought | Low | 40.28 / yr | $259K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.37 / yr | $647K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.42 / yr | $36K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.63 / yr | $122K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $9K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Elmore County?
Elmore County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Elmore County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Lightning (High, $779K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $19M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Elmore County compare to other Alabama counties?
Elmore County ranks #25 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Elmore County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.