Cullman County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Cullman County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.9, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and strong wind 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
| Cold Wave | High | 1.26 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.05 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 63.69 / yr | $712K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.11 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.86 / yr | $15M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.10 / yr | $12K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $576K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $90K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $114K |
| Drought | Low | 27.73 / yr | $205K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.16 / yr | $57K |
| Hail | Low | 4.74 / yr | $126K |
| 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 Cullman County?
Cullman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cullman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cullman County compare to other Alabama counties?
Cullman County ranks #19 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. Cullman County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.