Etowah County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Etowah County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.3, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $50M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.53 / yr | $17M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.06 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.96 / yr | $23M |
| Lightning | Medium | 63.24 / yr | $517K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.48 / yr | $9K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.63 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $161K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $384K |
| Hail | Low | 4.83 / yr | $286K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.45 / yr | $84K |
| Drought | Low | 28.37 / yr | $97K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.68 / yr | $20K |
| 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 Etowah County?
Etowah County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Etowah County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $17M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Etowah County compare to other Alabama counties?
Etowah County ranks #11 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. Etowah County's $50M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.