Montgomery County

Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Medium

Composite Risk Score

91.8

National percentile: 92th

Montgomery County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.8, 92th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $87M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $87M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 229K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Lightning
Very High $2M/yr
Tornado
High $13M/yr
Heat Wave
High $7M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Lightning Very High 69.09 / yr $2M
Tornado High 0.70 / yr $13M
Heat Wave High 9.79 / yr $7M
Strong Wind High 1.40 / yr $3M
Riverine Flood High 1.36 / yr $51M
Earthquake Medium 0.00 / yr $6M
Hurricane Medium 0.09 / yr $4M
Hail Medium 2.11 / yr $580K
Ice Storm Medium 0.42 / yr $152K
Drought Low 32.10 / yr $182K
Landslide Very Low 0.18 / yr $1K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $41K
Winter Weather Low 1.05 / yr $28K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.37 / yr $204K
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 Montgomery County?

Montgomery County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 92th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Montgomery County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Very High, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $13M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Montgomery County compare to other Alabama counties?

Montgomery County ranks #5 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. Montgomery County's $87M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.