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

Coffee County Disaster Risk

Coffee County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#16

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

84th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Coffee County, Alabama

Coffee County's Risk Significantly Above Average

Coffee County's composite score of 83.43 substantially exceeds the national average, ranking as Relatively Moderate risk. This profile places the county among more hazardous regions across the United States.

Alabama's Highest-Risk County

At 83.43, Coffee County ranks as Alabama's most hazardous county, dramatically exceeding the state average of 61.54. This dangerous elevation reflects critical exposure to tornadoes (90.27), hurricanes (92.87), and floods (84.41).

Vastly More Hazardous Than Surrounding Areas

Coffee County's 83.43 score far exceeds nearby Clarke County (53.40) and other regional peers, making it uniquely vulnerable. This isolation as Alabama's riskiest county reflects concentrated exposure to multiple simultaneous hazard types.

Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Floods Converge Here

Hurricane risk (92.87), tornado risk (90.27), and flood risk (84.41) converge to create an exceptionally dangerous environment—all three hazards rank among Alabama's highest. Together, these water and wind threats demand serious preparedness investment.

Invest in Maximum Disaster Protection Today

Coffee County residents must carry comprehensive homeowners insurance with wind coverage, separate flood insurance, and consider additional protective features like storm shelters. Your county's position as Alabama's highest-risk area makes robust insurance coverage and home hardening essential investments.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Coffee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    90th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    84th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Coffee County

Risk Verdict

Coffee County's overall risk score at the 83th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Coffee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 90th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (84th percentile), earthquake (59th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Coffee County ranks at the 93th 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 at the 90th percentile nationally is Coffee County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Coffee 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

Compared to other Alabama counties, Coffee County runs 21.9 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Coffee 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 Coffee County, AL?
Coffee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 83th 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 Coffee County?
Coffee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (93th percentile), tornado (90th percentile), flooding (84th percentile), earthquake (59th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 93th 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 Coffee County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Coffee County's composite risk percentile is 83th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Coffee County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Coffee County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Coffee County's hurricane risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Coffee County is at the 84th 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.
Why is Coffee County higher risk than average?
Coffee County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (93th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and earthquake and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Walker County

Alabama

-0.8

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Covington County

Alabama

-1.0

Relatively Moderate

82th percentile

Talladega County

Alabama

+1.2

Relatively Moderate

85th 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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