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

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 Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Chilton County, Alabama

Chilton County Below National Risk Average

Chilton County's composite score of 54.71 sits comfortably below the national average, placing it in the Relatively Low risk category. Residents enjoy better protection from multi-hazard exposure than typical American communities.

Among Alabama's Lower-Risk Counties

At 54.71, Chilton County underperforms Alabama's state average of 61.54, ranking it in the safer half of state counties. This advantage reflects notably lower flood exposure and moderate tornado preparedness.

Safer Than Choctaw, Riskier Than Cleburne

Chilton County's 54.71 falls between safer Cleburne County (27.48) to the east and more hazardous Choctaw County (70.61) to the west. Its position reflects moderate vulnerability across most hazard types, making it a middle-ground risk area.

Tornadoes Lead, Wildfires Follow Close

Tornado risk (85.78) represents Chilton County's most serious threat, reaching levels typically associated with tornado-prone regions. Wildfire risk (63.26) presents a secondary but meaningful concern, particularly during dry seasons.

Prioritize Tornado and Fire Protection

Chilton County homeowners should focus on wind coverage for tornado damage and consider wildfire protection if near forested areas. Standard homeowners insurance covering these perils, plus a documented home inventory, provides essential protection against your county's primary threats.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Chilton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    66th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    63th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Chilton County

Risk Verdict

Chilton County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 55th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Chilton County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Chilton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (63th percentile), flood (60th percentile), hurricane (58th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 86th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Chilton County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Chilton County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 66th percentile nationally means Chilton County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Chilton 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

Chilton County is 6.8 composite risk points below the Alabama state mean, meaning most other Alabama counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Chilton 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 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 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.

Explore more data for Chilton County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score