riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Bibb County Disaster Risk

Bibb County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#52

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

49th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bibb County, Alabama

Bibb ranks very low on national scale

Bibb County's composite risk score of 39.12 places it in the Very Low category—among the safest counties in America. This central Alabama location avoids the worst of multiple hazard types simultaneously.

Alabama's second-safest county overall

Bibb's 39.12 score is substantially below Alabama's state average of 61.54, making it one of the state's lowest-risk counties. Only a handful of Alabama counties match Bibb's favorable disaster profile.

Bibb offers relative safety regionally

Bibb (39.12) is notably safer than neighbors Autauga (57.57), Blount (68.48), and Calhoun (88.45), offering some of the most stable risk conditions in central Alabama. This geographic position protects against cumulative hazard exposure.

Tornadoes pose the primary threat

Tornado risk of 77.16 is Bibb's leading hazard, typical for inland Alabama counties in the tornado corridor. Other risks—flood (48.92), wildfire (48.66), and earthquake (62.44)—remain well below state and national medians.

Wind coverage and a safe plan suffice

Bibb homeowners should ensure wind and hail coverage on their standard homeowners policy to handle tornado events. A basic tornado safety plan—identifying a safe room or interior hallway—provides additional security in this relatively low-risk county.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bibb County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    77th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    50th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Bibb County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Bibb County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 39th percentile. Being ranked at the 39th percentile nationally is an advantage for Bibb County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Bibb County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (50th percentile), flood (49th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 77th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Bibb County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Bibb County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Bibb County at the 62th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. Bibb County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Bibb County is 22.4 composite risk points below the Alabama state mean, meaning most other Alabama counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Bibb County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Bibb County, AL?
Bibb County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Bibb County?
Bibb County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (77th percentile), earthquake (62th percentile), hurricane (50th percentile), flooding (49th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 77th 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 Bibb County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Bibb County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bibb County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Bibb County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Bibb County's tornado risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bibb County is at the 49th 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.
Is Bibb County a safe place to live?
Bibb County's composite risk score of 39th percentile is below the Alabama state average of 62th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 77th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.