Jefferson County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 98th
Jefferson County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 97.6, 98th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $262M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Very High | 1.17 / yr | $56M |
| Lightning | Very High | 68.97 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.74 / yr | $23M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 4.18 / yr | $143M |
| Heat Wave | High | 7.89 / yr | $11M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.61 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $17M |
| Landslide | Medium | 2.54 / yr | $113K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.48 / yr | $665K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.95 / yr | $182K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $330K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.01 / yr | $116K |
| Drought | Very Low | 26.95 / yr | $15K |
| 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 Jefferson County?
Jefferson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 97.6 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 98th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jefferson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Very High, $56M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $5M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $23M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jefferson County compare to other Alabama counties?
Jefferson County ranks #2 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high 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. Jefferson County's $262M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.