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

Cleburne County Disaster Risk

Cleburne County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#62

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

37th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cleburne County, Alabama

Cleburne County Among Safest in America

Cleburne County's composite score of 27.48 places it in the Very Low risk category, substantially below the national average. Residents benefit from exceptional protection across multiple natural disaster hazard types.

Alabama's Lowest-Risk County Tier

At 27.48, Cleburne County ranks as Alabama's safest county, far below the state average of 61.54. This distinction reflects consistently low exposure across flood, wildfire, tornado, and earthquake hazards.

Safest County in East-Central Alabama

Cleburne County's 27.48 score makes it notably safer than neighboring Clay County (26.69), Chilton County (54.71), and Cherokee County (63.33). Its geographic position provides natural protection from most major natural disaster hazards.

Tornado Risk Tops Cleburne's Limited Threats

Tornado risk (70.04) represents Cleburne County's highest hazard, though it remains below state average levels. Wildfire risk (67.27) and hurricane risk (65.42) present secondary concerns, all moderate compared to regional and national benchmarks.

Standard Insurance Provides Adequate Protection

Cleburne County homeowners typically need only basic homeowners insurance to address your county's minimal natural disaster risks. Consider standard wind coverage for tornado protection, but your exceptional safety profile means comprehensive specialized policies aren't typically necessary.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cleburne County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    70th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    67th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    65th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Cleburne County

Risk Verdict

Cleburne County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 27th percentile nationally. At the 27th percentile nationally, Cleburne County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Cleburne County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (65th percentile), earthquake (47th percentile), flood (37th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Cleburne County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 70th percentile nationally. For Cleburne County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 67th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Cleburne County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Cleburne County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Alabama county average exceeds Cleburne County's score by 34.1 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Cleburne 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 Cleburne County, AL?
Cleburne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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 Cleburne County?
Cleburne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (70th percentile), wildfire (67th percentile), hurricane (65th percentile), earthquake (47th percentile), flooding (37th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado 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 Cleburne County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Cleburne County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cleburne County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Cleburne County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Cleburne County's tornado risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Cleburne County is at the 37th 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 Cleburne County a safe place to live?
Cleburne County's composite risk score of 27th 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 70th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Clay County

Alabama

-0.8

Very Low

27th percentile

Lowndes County

Alabama

+1.6

Very Low

29th percentile

Greene County

Alabama

+1.8

Very Low

29th 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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