Russell County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Russell County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 54.7, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Russell County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 54.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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.
Most of Russell County's expected losses come from lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $725K in expected annual loss and about 67.45 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 8.32 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $601K in expected annual loss and about 47.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 59K.
Beyond physical exposure, Russell County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Russell County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 11 for severe storm events and 9 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Russell County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 67.45 / yr | $725K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.32 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 47.49 / yr | $601K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.10 / yr | $824K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.29 / yr | $5K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.71 / yr | $9M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.53 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $268K |
| Hail | Low | 2.33 / yr | $177K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.51 / yr | $27K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.35 / yr | $200K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.95 / yr | $8K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $50K |
| 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
Russell County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Hurricane (9), 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 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| 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 |
| December 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 Russell County?
Russell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 54.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Russell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $725K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $601K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Russell County compare to other Alabama counties?
Russell County ranks #39 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Russell County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Russell County since 1975, most often 11 for severe storm events and 9 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. Russell County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.