Fayette County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Fayette County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 38.2, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.34 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.78 / yr | $745K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.16 / yr | $590K |
| Lightning | Medium | 68.30 / yr | $327K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.69 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $227K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $413K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $858K |
| Drought | Low | 25.86 / yr | $102K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.60 / yr | $45K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.01 / yr | $84K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $4K |
| 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 Fayette County?
Fayette County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 38.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fayette County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $10K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $745K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $590K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fayette County compare to other Alabama counties?
Fayette County ranks #54 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Fayette County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.