Lawrence County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Lawrence County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.3, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.78 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | High | 62.38 / yr | $650K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.53 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 21.52 / yr | $445K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.67 / yr | $704K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.50 / yr | $7M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $207K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.81 / yr | $56K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.49 / yr | $72K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.37 / yr | $15K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $56 |
| 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 Lawrence County?
Lawrence County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lawrence County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $5M EAL), Lightning (High, $650K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lawrence County compare to other Alabama counties?
Lawrence County ranks #29 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. Lawrence County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.