Lee County

Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

79.7

National percentile: 80th

Lee County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.7, 80th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $40M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $40M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 174K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Heat Wave
Medium $4M/yr
Lightning
High $1M/yr
Riverine Flood
Medium $25M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Heat Wave Medium 6.42 / yr $4M
Lightning High 66.07 / yr $1M
Riverine Flood Medium 0.82 / yr $25M
Hurricane Medium 0.10 / yr $3M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $2M
Drought Medium 51.54 / yr $868K
Strong Wind Medium 1.32 / yr $1M
Tornado Medium 0.49 / yr $3M
Hail Low 2.66 / yr $610K
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $205K
Ice Storm Low 0.52 / yr $126K
Landslide Very Low 0.34 / yr $830
Winter Weather Low 1.32 / yr $31K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.42 / yr $170K
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 Lee County?

Lee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 80th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Lee County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $25M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Lee County compare to other Alabama counties?

Lee County ranks #23 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Lee County's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.