riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Baldwin County Disaster Risk

Baldwin County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

97th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#3

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

92th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Baldwin County

Risk Verdict

Baldwin County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Baldwin County, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 93th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (92th), wildfire (91th), earthquake (72th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Baldwin County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Baldwin County is significantly riskier than the average county in Alabama. Its composite risk score is 35.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Baldwin County, AL?
Baldwin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 97th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Baldwin County?
Baldwin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (99th percentile), tornado (93th percentile), flooding (92th percentile), wildfire (91th percentile), earthquake (72th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 99th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Baldwin County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Baldwin County's composite risk percentile is 97th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Baldwin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Baldwin County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Baldwin County's hurricane risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Baldwin County is at the 92th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Baldwin County higher risk than average?
Baldwin County's composite risk score of 97th percentile is above the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (99th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and wildfire and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Jefferson County

Alabama

+0.9

Relatively High

98th percentile

Mobile County

Alabama

+1.3

Relatively High

98th percentile

Madison County

Alabama

-2.2

Relatively High

95th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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