Wilcox County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Wilcox County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.7, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Wilcox County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 36.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th 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.
Most of Wilcox County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $712K in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $1K in expected annual loss and about 0.50 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $840K in expected annual loss and about 0.60 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wilcox 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.
The federal record bears this out: Wilcox County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Wilcox County ranks #55 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.11 / yr | $712K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.60 / yr | $840K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Low | 71.55 / yr | $144K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $170K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.47 / yr | $171K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.11 / yr | $359K |
| Drought | Low | 20.40 / yr | $28K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.59 / yr | $133K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $8K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.76 / yr | $30K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Wilcox County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Severe Storm (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
| 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 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wilcox County?
Wilcox County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wilcox County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $712K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $1K EAL), Tornado (Low, $840K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wilcox County compare to other Alabama counties?
Wilcox County ranks #55 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wilcox County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Wilcox County since 1973, most often 10 for hurricane events and 6 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. Wilcox County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.