Pickens County
Alabama — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Pickens County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.7, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and earthquake 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
| Heat Wave | Medium | 10.11 / yr | $947K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $907K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 67.90 / yr | $378K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $347K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.92 / yr | $3K |
| Hail | Low | 3.38 / yr | $147K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.90 / yr | $318K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.78 / yr | $44K |
| Drought | Low | 21.94 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.58 / yr | $422K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.74 / yr | $6K |
| 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 Pickens County?
Pickens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pickens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $947K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $907K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pickens County compare to other Alabama counties?
Pickens County ranks #49 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. Pickens County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.