Pickens County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Pickens County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.7, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pickens County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 44.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 45th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $947K in expected annual loss and about 10.11 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $907K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pickens County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Pickens County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 9 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Pickens County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 10.11 / yr | $947K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $907K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 67.90 / yr | $378K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $347K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.92 / yr | $3K |
| Hail | Low | 3.38 / yr | $147K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.90 / yr | $318K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.78 / yr | $44K |
| Drought | Low | 21.94 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.58 / yr | $422K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.74 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Pickens County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| May 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaac |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pickens County?
Pickens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pickens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $947K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $907K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pickens County compare to other Alabama counties?
Pickens County ranks #49 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pickens County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Pickens County since 1974, most often 9 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. Pickens County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.