Monroe County

Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

48.7

National percentile: 49th

Monroe County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.7, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $10M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 20K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hurricane
Medium $4M/yr
Lightning
Medium $524K/yr
Drought
Low $203K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hurricane Medium 0.14 / yr $4M
Lightning Medium 76.68 / yr $524K
Drought Low 15.17 / yr $203K
Tornado Low 0.67 / yr $1M
Heat Wave Low 7.28 / yr $369K
Landslide Very Low 0.61 / yr $1K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $196K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $20K
Riverine Flood Low 0.79 / yr $3M
Cold Wave Low 1.11 / yr $465K
Strong Wind Low 1.97 / yr $209K
Winter Weather Very Low 1.16 / yr $14K
Hail Very Low 1.68 / yr $49K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.01 / yr $57
Ice Storm Very Low 0.18 / yr $7K
Avalanche 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 Monroe County?

Monroe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Monroe County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $524K EAL), Drought (Low, $203K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Monroe County compare to other Alabama counties?

Monroe County ranks #44 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. Monroe County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.