Marshall County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Marshall County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.3, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $50M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Marshall County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 87.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 87th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $17M in expected annual loss and about 0.66 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 5.22 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $828K in expected annual loss and about 60.94 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $50M in expected annual loss for a population of 98K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marshall County has a 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 federal record bears this out: Marshall County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Marshall County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.66 / yr | $17M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.22 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | High | 60.94 / yr | $828K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.37 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.79 / yr | $20M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 4.58 / yr | $167K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.32 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.77 / yr | $203K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.47 / yr | $4K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $402K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $79K |
| Hail | Low | 4.82 / yr | $259K |
| Drought | Low | 28.92 / yr | $149K |
| 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
Marshall County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Hurricane (6), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Thunderstorms |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| January 2016 | 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 |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Marshall County?
Marshall County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marshall County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $17M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Lightning (High, $828K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marshall County compare to other Alabama counties?
Marshall County ranks #12 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marshall County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Marshall County since 1973, most often 14 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. Marshall County's $50M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.