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

Lowndes County Disaster Risk

Lowndes County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#61

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lowndes County, Alabama

Lowndes County enjoys well-below-average risk

Lowndes County's composite risk score of 29.07 places it in the very low risk category, well below the national average. This favorable position reflects relatively modest hazard exposure across most disaster types, though some specific risks warrant attention.

Among Alabama's safest counties

Lowndes County ranks in the bottom tier of Alabama's risk distribution, with a composite score of 29.07 versus the state average of 61.54. This 32-point gap puts Lowndes County among the state's least disaster-prone counties overall.

Significantly safer than adjacent counties

Lowndes County's 29.07 score is remarkably low compared to neighboring Marengo County (52.16) and Marion County (69.15). This geographic advantage makes Lowndes County one of the region's safer options for disaster exposure.

Hurricane and tornado warrant attention

While Lowndes County's overall risk is very low, hurricane risk (71.42) and tornado risk (67.08) remain moderate concerns during severe weather seasons. Flood risk (31.87) and earthquake risk (49.52) pose lesser threats relative to the state average.

Standard coverage typically sufficient

Lowndes County's low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance provides solid baseline protection for most residents. However, evaluate your specific property location for flood and wind exposure, and ensure you maintain good home maintenance to minimize vulnerability.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lowndes County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    71th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    67th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    50th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lowndes County

Risk Verdict

Lowndes County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 29th percentile nationally. A 29th percentile score positions Lowndes County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lowndes County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 71th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (50th percentile), flood (32th percentile), wildfire (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Lowndes County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 71th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Tornado at the 67th percentile nationally is Lowndes County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Lowndes County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The Alabama county average exceeds Lowndes County's score by 32.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Lowndes 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 Lowndes County, AL?
Lowndes County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th 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 Lowndes County?
Lowndes County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (71th percentile), tornado (67th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), flooding (32th percentile), wildfire (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 71th 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 Lowndes County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Lowndes County's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lowndes County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Lowndes County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lowndes County's hurricane risk is at the 71th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lowndes County is at the 32th 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 Lowndes County a safe place to live?
Lowndes County's composite risk score of 29th 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 71th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Greene County

Alabama

+0.2

Very Low

29th percentile

Randolph County

Alabama

+1.5

Very Low

31th percentile

Cleburne County

Alabama

-1.6

Very Low

27th percentile

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.

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