Hale County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Hale County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.1, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 70.46 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $341K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $408K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.11 / yr | $357K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.47 / yr | $372K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $874 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.57 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Low | 23.08 / yr | $36K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $300K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.76 / yr | $78K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.40 / yr | $19K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.95 / yr | $2K |
| 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 Hale County?
Hale County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hale County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $341K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hale County compare to other Alabama counties?
Hale County ranks #53 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Hale County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.