Winston County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Winston County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.2, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Winston County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 59.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 59th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $19K in expected annual loss and about 1.86 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M 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 0.73 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Winston 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: Winston County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 7 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Winston County ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.86 / yr | $19K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.73 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 65.18 / yr | $351K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.57 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.81 / yr | $483K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $168K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.00 / yr | $393K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $47K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.56 / yr | $47K |
| Drought | Very Low | 24.11 / yr | $9K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.63 / yr | $48K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.47 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Winston County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Hurricane (7), 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 |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Winston County?
Winston County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Winston County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $19K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Winston County compare to other Alabama counties?
Winston County ranks #36 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Winston County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Winston County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 7 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. Winston County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.