Colbert County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Colbert County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.7, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.42 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | High | 62.22 / yr | $763K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.95 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.86 / yr | $14M |
| Drought | Low | 18.08 / yr | $226K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $168K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.92 / yr | $103K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $577 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.21 / yr | $25K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.07 / yr | $87K |
| 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 Colbert County?
Colbert County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Colbert County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $6M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Colbert County compare to other Alabama counties?
Colbert County ranks #20 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Colbert County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.