Marengo County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Marengo County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.2, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Marengo County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 52.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $904K in expected annual loss and about 1.68 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.71 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $840K in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marengo County has a very 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: Marengo County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 11 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Marengo County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $904K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.11 / yr | $840K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $614K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.21 / yr | $587K |
| Lightning | Medium | 70.46 / yr | $309K |
| Drought | Low | 18.25 / yr | $114K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.38 / yr | $660 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $483K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.51 / yr | $32K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.14 / yr | $83K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Marengo County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| December 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes & Straight-Line |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Marengo County?
Marengo County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marengo County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $904K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $840K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marengo County compare to other Alabama counties?
Marengo County ranks #43 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marengo County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Marengo County since 1977, most often 11 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm 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. Marengo County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.