Limestone County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 80th
Limestone County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.0, 80th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $48M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Limestone County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 80.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 80th 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 Limestone County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 1.32 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.62 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $48M in expected annual loss for a population of 101K.
Beyond physical exposure, Limestone County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Limestone 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, Limestone County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 1.32 / yr | $11M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.62 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.07 / yr | $20M |
| Drought | Medium | 28.44 / yr | $802K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 4.58 / yr | $173K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.63 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $202K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $245K |
| Lightning | Low | 61.05 / yr | $331K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.44 / yr | $705K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $196 |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.27 / yr | $87K |
| 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
Limestone 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 |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| May 2014 | 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 |
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 Limestone County?
Limestone County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.0 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 Limestone County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $11M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $6M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Limestone County compare to other Alabama counties?
Limestone County ranks #22 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Limestone County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Limestone 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. Limestone County's $48M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.