Tuscaloosa County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Tuscaloosa County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.8, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $83M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 1.37 / yr | $18M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 10.00 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.79 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.07 / yr | $41M |
| Lightning | High | 70.12 / yr | $968K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $268K |
| Hail | Low | 3.45 / yr | $559K |
| Landslide | Low | 2.66 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $64K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.74 / yr | $58K |
| Drought | Low | 28.91 / yr | $79K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Tuscaloosa County?
Tuscaloosa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tuscaloosa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $18M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $6M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tuscaloosa County compare to other Alabama counties?
Tuscaloosa County ranks #6 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
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. Tuscaloosa County's $83M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.