Lawrence County Disaster Risk
Lawrence County, Alabama
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
69th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#29
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
64th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 63% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lawrence County, Alabama
Lawrence County moderately above national average
Lawrence County scores 69.31 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating while still exceeding the national average. North-central Alabama residents face above-average natural disaster exposure compared to the typical American county.
Above-average risk for Alabama
Lawrence County's 69.31 composite score sits 7.77 points above Alabama's state average of 61.54, placing it in the state's elevated-risk tier. It represents mid-to-upper range vulnerability among Alabama's 67 counties.
Moderate-risk position in north-central region
Lawrence County (69.31) sits between lower-risk Lamar County (31.39) and higher-risk Lauderdale County (85.50), while exceeding Jackson County's (79.04) risk in certain hazards. Its north-central position creates a transitional risk profile.
Tornadoes and earthquakes lead threats
Tornado risk reaches 90.30 and earthquake risk hits 83.40, establishing these as Lawrence County's primary natural disaster concerns. Flood risk (63.71) poses moderate secondary threat, while wildfire risk remains minimal at 33.14.
Comprehensive coverage with earthquake option
Lawrence County residents should secure homeowners insurance with strong wind, hail, and flood protection, given tornado and flood exposure. Adding earthquake insurance warrants serious consideration at 83.40 risk—discuss structural reinforcement options and emergency preparedness plans with your insurer.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lawrence County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lawrence County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 69th, Lawrence County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Lawrence County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (64th percentile), hurricane (63th percentile), wildfire (33th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 90th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Lawrence County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Lawrence County at the 83th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. For Lawrence County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.
Regional Context
At 7.8 points above the Alabama state average, Lawrence County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Alabama county.
Is your household prepared for Lawrence County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lawrence County, AL?
What types of natural hazards affect Lawrence County?
How does Lawrence County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Is Lawrence County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Lawrence County higher risk than average?
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.