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

Coosa County Disaster Risk

Coosa County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#67

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

34th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Coosa County, Alabama

Coosa Is Among America's Safest Counties

Coosa County scores just 14.57 on composite risk, the lowest among these eight counties and far below the national average. This exceptional safety profile means residents face significantly less multi-hazard exposure than most Americans.

Alabama's Lowest-Risk County in This Group

Coosa's 14.57 score ranks dramatically below Alabama's 61.54 state average, making it one of the safest counties in the state. The exceptional gap reflects minimal earthquake, tornado, and hurricane exposure compared to peers statewide.

Dramatically Safer Than Surrounding Counties

Coosa (14.57) offers substantially lower risk than adjacent Cullman (81.93) and Crenshaw (34.38), creating a notable safety pocket in central Alabama. Even compared to modest-risk neighbors, Coosa's exposure is remarkably contained.

Wildfire and Flood Are Minor Concerns

Wildfire risk scores highest at 64.44, driven by forested areas and seasonal dry conditions, but remains moderate in absolute terms. Flood (34.26) and tornado (37.28) risks rank well below state averages, creating a genuinely low-hazard environment.

Standard Coverage Likely Sufficient Here

Coosa's exceptional safety profile means a standard homeowners policy adequately covers most residents, though wildfire insurance becomes valuable if you live near forested areas. Review flood coverage if you're in a mapped flood zone, but this remains among Alabama's lowest-risk counties overall.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Coosa County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    55th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Coosa County

Risk Verdict

Coosa County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 15th percentile nationally. At the 15th percentile, Coosa County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Coosa County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (38th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), flood (34th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 64th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Coosa County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. A secondary hurricane exposure at the 55th percentile nationally means Coosa County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Coosa County residents.

Regional Context

Coosa County falls 47.0 points below Alabama's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Coosa 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 Coosa County, AL?
Coosa County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Coosa County?
Coosa County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (64th percentile), hurricane (55th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), flooding (34th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 64th 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 Coosa County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Coosa County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Coosa County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Coosa County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Coosa County's wildfire risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Coosa County is at the 34th 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 Coosa County a safe place to live?
Coosa County's composite risk score of 15th 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 wildfire at the 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.