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

Crenshaw County Disaster Risk

Crenshaw County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#56

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

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Crenshaw County, Alabama

Crenshaw's Risk Falls Well Below National

Crenshaw County scores 34.38 on composite risk, earning a Very Low rating and sitting well below the national average. This favorable position reflects contained exposure across most natural hazard categories, though tornado and hurricane risks remain noteworthy.

Among Alabama's Lower-Risk Counties

At 34.38, Crenshaw falls significantly below Alabama's 61.54 state average, placing it among the safer counties statewide. The 27-point gap indicates residents enjoy substantially lower multi-hazard exposure than most of their state peers.

Similar Risk to Nearby Conecuh County

Crenshaw (34.38) and adjacent Conecuh (31.11) share similar low-risk profiles, both benefiting from southern Alabama's relative seismic and tornado safety. Both counties face elevated hurricane exposure compared to northern peers like Cullman and Colbert.

Hurricanes and Tornadoes Require Attention

Hurricane risk scores 84.56, reflecting Crenshaw's Gulf proximity and tropical storm season exposure, while tornadoes rank second at 63.20. Floods (33.59) and wildfire (25.16) pose minimal threats compared to these primary hazards.

Hurricane and Tornado Coverage Needed

The 84.56 hurricane risk score makes windstorm coverage essential; verify your homeowners policy includes hurricane protection or add a separate windstorm policy. Keep tornado coverage active year-round, and review flood insurance if you're in any mapped flood zone.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Crenshaw County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    63th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    36th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Crenshaw County

Risk Verdict

Crenshaw County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 34th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Crenshaw County residents can take confidence from a 34th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Crenshaw County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (36th percentile), flood (34th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Crenshaw County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 85th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 63th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Crenshaw County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Crenshaw County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Alabama county average, Crenshaw County's composite score runs 27.2 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Crenshaw 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 Crenshaw County, AL?
Crenshaw County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th 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 Crenshaw County?
Crenshaw County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (85th percentile), tornado (63th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), flooding (34th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 85th 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 Crenshaw County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Crenshaw County's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Crenshaw County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Crenshaw County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Crenshaw County's hurricane risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Crenshaw 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 Crenshaw County a safe place to live?
Crenshaw County's composite risk score of 34th 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 85th 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.