Perry County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Perry County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.8, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Perry County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 18.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 19th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $325K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $284K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $173K in expected annual loss and about 26.27 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Perry 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.
History supports the rating: Perry County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 11 for hurricane events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Perry County ranks #66 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $325K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $284K |
| Drought | Low | 26.27 / yr | $173K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.59 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Medium | 70.51 / yr | $181K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.58 / yr | $829K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.26 / yr | $336K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.79 / yr | $210K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $157K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.59 / yr | $40K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $6K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.74 / 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 |
Disaster History
Perry County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Severe Storm (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| April 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| December 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Perry County?
Perry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Perry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $325K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $284K EAL), Drought (Low, $173K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Perry County compare to other Alabama counties?
Perry County ranks #66 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Perry County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Perry County since 1973, most often 11 for hurricane events and 8 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. Perry County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.