Tallapoosa County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Tallapoosa County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 67.5, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Tallapoosa County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 67.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 67th 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 — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.26 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $190K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 41K.
Beyond physical exposure, Tallapoosa County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Tallapoosa County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 8 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Tallapoosa County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.26 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $13M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $190K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $632K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.01 / yr | $6K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.63 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $539K |
| Lightning | Medium | 65.86 / yr | $325K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $615K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.51 / yr | $305K |
| Drought | Low | 50.46 / yr | $47K |
| Hail | Low | 3.30 / yr | $128K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.46 / yr | $35K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Tallapoosa County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| May 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
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 Tallapoosa County?
Tallapoosa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 67.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tallapoosa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $13M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $190K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tallapoosa County compare to other Alabama counties?
Tallapoosa County ranks #34 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Tallapoosa County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Tallapoosa County since 1977, most often 8 for hurricane events and 7 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. Tallapoosa County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.