riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Madison County Disaster Risk

Madison County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

95th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

96th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Madison County

Risk Verdict

Madison County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Madison County, scoring in the 98th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 96th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (95th), hurricane (70th), wildfire (36th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Madison County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Madison County is significantly riskier than the average county in Alabama. Its composite risk score is 33 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Madison County, AL?
Madison County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 95th 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 Madison County?
Madison County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (98th percentile), flooding (96th percentile), earthquake (95th percentile), hurricane (70th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 98th 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 Madison County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Madison County's composite risk percentile is 95th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Madison County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Madison County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Madison County's tornado risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Madison County is at the 96th 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.
Why is Madison County higher risk than average?
Madison County's composite risk score of 95th percentile is above the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (98th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Baldwin County

Alabama

+2.2

Relatively High

97th percentile

Montgomery County

Alabama

-2.7

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

Jefferson County

Alabama

+3.1

Relatively High

98th 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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