Lamar County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Lamar County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.4, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lamar County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 31.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 31st national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $846K in expected annual loss and about 66.49 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $852K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $6K in expected annual loss and about 1.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lamar 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: Lamar County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 12 for severe storm events and 7 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Lamar County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 66.49 / yr | $846K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $852K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.11 / yr | $6K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $186K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.59 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.84 / yr | $806K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.16 / yr | $283K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.90 / yr | $46K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.47 / yr | $289K |
| Drought | Low | 19.20 / yr | $41K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.75 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.71 / yr | $76K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.26 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Lamar County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Hurricane (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 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 |
| May 2014 | 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 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lamar County?
Lamar County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lamar County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $846K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $852K EAL), Landslide (Low, $6K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lamar County compare to other Alabama counties?
Lamar County ranks #57 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lamar County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Lamar County since 1973, most often 12 for severe storm events and 7 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. Lamar County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.