riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Chilton County Disaster Risk

Chilton County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

55th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#39

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

60th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Chilton County

Risk Verdict

Chilton County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 55th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Chilton County, scoring in the 86th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 66th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (63th), flood (60th), hurricane (58th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Chilton County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake 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

Chilton County is notably safer than the average county in Alabama. Its composite risk score is 6.8 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Chilton County, AL?
Chilton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 55th 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 Chilton County?
Chilton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (86th percentile), earthquake (66th percentile), wildfire (63th percentile), flooding (60th percentile), hurricane (58th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 86th 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 Chilton County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Chilton County's composite risk percentile is 55th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Chilton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Chilton County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Chilton County's tornado risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Chilton County is at the 60th 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 Chilton County a safe place to live?
Chilton County's composite risk score of 55th 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 86th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Russell County

Alabama

+0.0

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Clarke County

Alabama

-1.3

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Geneva County

Alabama

-1.3

Relatively Low

53th 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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