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

Clarke County Disaster Risk

Clarke County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#40

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

40th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clarke County, Alabama

Clarke County Below National Risk Levels

Clarke County's composite score of 53.40 sits below the national average in the Relatively Low category. This positioning indicates residents face manageable multi-hazard exposure compared to typical American counties.

Well Below Alabama State Average

At 53.40, Clarke County substantially underperforms Alabama's state average of 61.54, placing it among the state's safer counties. This advantage particularly reflects low flood risk (40.39) and moderate wildfire exposure.

Safer Than Coffee County, Riskier Than Clay

Clarke County's 53.40 score falls well below Coffee County's 83.43 (one of Alabama's highest) but exceeds Clay County's 26.69. This positioning makes Clarke a moderate-risk area relative to its regional peers.

Hurricane Risk Dominates Local Threats

Hurricane risk (89.61) stands as Clarke County's most critical hazard, ranking among the state's highest despite inland location. Tornado risk (67.78) presents a secondary but significant concern for county residents.

Secure Comprehensive Wind and Flood Coverage

Clarke County homeowners should prioritize wind damage coverage for hurricane exposure, the county's dominant natural disaster risk. Standard homeowners insurance addressing wind damage provides your most essential protection against local hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clarke County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    68th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    53th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Clarke County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Clarke County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 53th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Clarke County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Clarke County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (53th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile), flood (40th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 90th percentile nationally makes Clarke County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Clarke County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Tornado at the 68th percentile nationally is Clarke County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Clarke County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Clarke County's composite risk score sits 8.1 points below the Alabama county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Clarke 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 Clarke County, AL?
Clarke County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 53th 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 Clarke County?
Clarke County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), tornado (68th percentile), earthquake (53th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile), flooding (40th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th 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 Clarke County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Clarke County's composite risk percentile is 53th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clarke County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Clarke County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Clarke County's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Clarke County is at the 40th 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 Clarke County a safe place to live?
Clarke County's composite risk score of 53th 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 90th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Geneva County

Alabama

-0.0

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Sumter County

Alabama

-0.4

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Marengo County

Alabama

-1.2

Relatively Low

52th 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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