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

Geneva County Disaster Risk

Geneva County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#41

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

55th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Geneva County, Alabama

Geneva's Risk Below National Average

Geneva County scores 53.37 with a Relatively Low rating, positioning it below the national average overall but with notable hurricane exposure that warrants attention. The county's Gulf proximity drives its 87.28 hurricane risk, while other hazards remain relatively moderate.

Below-Average Risk Statewide

At 53.37, Geneva's composite score falls below Alabama's state average of 61.54, making it one of the safer regions in the state. However, its 87.28 hurricane risk signals that Gulf-facing location creates concentrated vulnerability despite the lower overall score.

Safer Than Coastal Peer Escambia

Geneva's 53.37 score is substantially lower than neighboring Escambia County's 85.02, though both face significant hurricane exposure from Gulf proximity. Geneva's inland portions and lower overall hazard profile make it moderately safer than most Gulf-influenced Alabama counties.

Hurricanes Drive Seasonal Vulnerability

Hurricane risk at 87.28 is Geneva's defining hazard, making tropical storm season (June–November) the critical planning window for all residents. Tornado exposure at 51.59 remains moderate and manageable compared to inland Alabama counties, while floods and wildfires pose minimal threats.

Prioritize Hurricane Insurance and Readiness

Geneva residents must secure robust homeowners and wind insurance well before hurricane season, understanding deductibles and coverage limits specific to tropical systems. Maintain a home inventory, secure loose outdoor items before storms, and establish a family evacuation plan—these steps provide essential protection in a hurricane-exposed region.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Geneva County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    55th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    52th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Geneva County

Risk Verdict

Geneva County's FEMA risk score places it at the 53th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Geneva County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (52th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 87th percentile nationally, Geneva County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Flood at the 55th percentile nationally is Geneva County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Geneva County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 8.2 points below the Alabama state average, Geneva County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Geneva 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 Geneva County, AL?
Geneva 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 Geneva County?
Geneva County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (87th percentile), flooding (55th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 87th 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 Geneva County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Geneva 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 Geneva County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Geneva County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Geneva County's hurricane risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Geneva County is at the 55th 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 Geneva County a safe place to live?
Geneva 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 87th 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.