Madison County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 95th
Madison County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.6, 95th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $180M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.87 / yr | $32M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.26 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Very High | 61.34 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.42 / yr | $16M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.68 / yr | $99M |
| Winter Weather | High | 4.74 / yr | $778K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $15M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.58 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.87 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $685K |
| Drought | Low | 26.69 / yr | $326K |
| Hail | Low | 4.42 / yr | $307K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $531 |
| 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 Madison County?
Madison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.6 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 95th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Madison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $32M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $5M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Madison County compare to other Alabama counties?
Madison County ranks #4 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high 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. Madison County's $180M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.