Lawrence County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Lawrence County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.3, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Lawrence County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 69.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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.
Most of Lawrence County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.78 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $650K in expected annual loss and about 62.38 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lawrence 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Lawrence County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 9 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Lawrence County ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.78 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | High | 62.38 / yr | $650K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.53 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 21.52 / yr | $445K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.67 / yr | $704K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.50 / yr | $7M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $207K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.81 / yr | $56K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.49 / yr | $72K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.37 / yr | $15K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $56 |
| 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
Lawrence County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Hurricane (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lawrence County?
Lawrence County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lawrence County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $5M EAL), Lightning (High, $650K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lawrence County compare to other Alabama counties?
Lawrence County ranks #29 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lawrence County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Lawrence County since 1973, most often 9 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. Lawrence County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.