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

Chambers County Disaster Risk

Chambers County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#46

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

57th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Chambers County, Alabama

Chambers County's Risk: Well Below Average

With a composite risk score of 47.23, Chambers County ranks as Relatively Low—significantly safer than the national average. This county outperforms most peers nationwide, meaning residents face fewer multi-hazard threats than typical Americans.

One of Alabama's Safest Counties

Chambers County's score of 47.23 places it well below Alabama's state average of 61.54, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk counties. This advantage reflects both lower exposure to major hazards and favorable geographic positioning.

Safer Than Surrounding Counties

Chambers County's 47.23 score beats nearby Cherokee County (63.33) and Chilton County (54.71), making it a notably safer pocket in east-central Alabama. This relative security stems primarily from lower flood and wildfire exposure compared to neighbors.

Hurricanes and Tornadoes Lead Local Threats

Hurricane risk (70.17) and tornado risk (67.30) present Chambers County's highest hazards, though both remain moderate compared to state standards. Flood risk (57.47) and earthquake risk (57.54) pose secondary concerns for county residents.

Secure Wind and Water Coverage Now

Chambers County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance covering wind damage from tornadoes and hurricanes, plus flood coverage where applicable. Given the county's relative safety profile, this straightforward coverage addresses your most realistic local threats.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Chambers County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    70th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    67th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    58th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Chambers County

Risk Verdict

Chambers County ranks at the 47th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. At the 47th percentile, Chambers County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Chambers County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (58th percentile), flood (57th percentile), wildfire (52th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Chambers County ranks at the 70th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 67th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Chambers County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Chambers County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

A composite score 14.3 points below the Alabama state average puts Chambers County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Chambers 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 Chambers County, AL?
Chambers County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th 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 Chambers County?
Chambers County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (70th percentile), tornado (67th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), flooding (57th percentile), wildfire (52th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 70th 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 Chambers County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Chambers County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Chambers County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Chambers County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Chambers County's hurricane risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Chambers County is at the 57th 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 Chambers County a safe place to live?
Chambers County's composite risk score of 47th 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 hurricane at the 70th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Barbour County

Alabama

+0.9

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Monroe County

Alabama

+1.4

Relatively Low

49th percentile

Washington County

Alabama

-1.6

Relatively Low

46th percentile

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.

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