Jackson County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 79th
Jackson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.0, 79th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Jackson County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 79.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 79th 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.
Risk here concentrates in tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 1.06 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $810K in expected annual loss and about 61.34 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 53K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jackson 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: Jackson County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 11 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Jackson County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 1.06 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | High | 61.34 / yr | $810K |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.58 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 32.86 / yr | $829K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.63 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 5.00 / yr | $155K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.54 / yr | $13M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.30 / yr | $7K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.76 / yr | $132K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $67K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $140K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.05 / yr | $324K |
| Hail | Low | 4.55 / yr | $172K |
| 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
Jackson County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Hurricane (6), Tornado (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Thunderstorms |
| 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 |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jackson County?
Jackson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 79th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jackson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $6M EAL), Lightning (High, $810K EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jackson County compare to other Alabama counties?
Jackson County ranks #24 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jackson County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Jackson County since 1973, most often 11 for severe storm events and 6 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. Jackson County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.