riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Hale County Disaster Risk

Hale County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#53

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

42th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Hale County

Risk Verdict

Hale County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 39th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Hale County, scoring in the 69th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 68th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (66th), flood (42th), wildfire (26th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Hale County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Hale County is notably safer than the average county in Alabama. Its composite risk score is 22.4 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Hale County, AL?
Hale County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Hale County?
Hale County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (69th percentile), tornado (68th percentile), earthquake (66th percentile), flooding (42th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 69th 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 Hale County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Hale County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hale County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Hale County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hale County's hurricane risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Hale County is at the 42th 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 Hale County a safe place to live?
Hale County's composite risk score of 39th 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 69th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bibb County

Alabama

+0.0

Very Low

39th percentile

Fayette County

Alabama

-0.9

Very Low

38th percentile

Wilcox County

Alabama

-2.4

Very Low

37th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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