Lowndes County

Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

29.1

National percentile: 29th

Lowndes County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.1, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $5M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 10K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Heat Wave
Low $595K/yr
Hurricane
Low $395K/yr
Strong Wind
Medium $519K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Heat Wave Low 9.74 / yr $595K
Hurricane Low 0.08 / yr $395K
Strong Wind Medium 1.45 / yr $519K
Tornado Medium 0.60 / yr $1M
Drought Low 25.25 / yr $98K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $155K
Lightning Low 69.90 / yr $124K
Landslide Very Low 0.28 / yr $336
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.64 / yr $2M
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $9K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.40 / yr $8K
Hail Very Low 1.93 / yr $34K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.37 / yr $80K
Winter Weather Very Low 1.05 / yr $1K
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 Lowndes County?

Lowndes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Lowndes County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Low, $595K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $395K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $519K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Lowndes County compare to other Alabama counties?

Lowndes County ranks #61 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Lowndes County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.