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

Marengo County Disaster Risk

Marengo County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

52th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

51th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Marengo County, Alabama

Marengo County's risk falls below average

Marengo County's composite risk score of 52.16 falls short of the national average, placing it in the relatively low risk category. This favorable position reflects moderate exposure across most hazard types, though certain risks deserve attention during seasonal threats.

Mid-range risk among Alabama counties

Marengo County ranks in the middle-to-lower portion of Alabama's risk distribution, with a composite score of 52.16 against the state average of 61.54. This places the county below the state median, offering residents somewhat lower disaster exposure than average Alabamians.

Lower risk than most adjacent counties

Marengo County's 52.16 score is notably lower than neighboring Marion County (69.15) and significantly safer than Marshall County (87.31). Only Lowndes County (29.07) and Macon County (23.86) offer substantially better risk profiles in this region.

Tornado and hurricane are primary concerns

Tornado risk scores 78.94 for Marengo County, making severe spring and fall weather a genuine hazard, while hurricane risk (77.43) poses secondary but meaningful exposure. Flood risk (50.64) and earthquake risk (73.47) round out a balanced portfolio of moderate threats.

Seasonal preparedness and standard coverage

Marengo County residents should develop tornado response plans and ensure homeowners insurance includes wind coverage before severe weather seasons. Evaluate your property's flood vulnerability and consider NFIP coverage if in a flood-prone area, and maintain home condition through regular maintenance.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Marengo County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    77th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    73th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Marengo County

Risk Verdict

Marengo County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 52th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Marengo County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Marengo County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (73th percentile), flood (51th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 79th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Marengo County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Marengo County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Hurricane is the second hazard driver for Marengo County at the 77th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and hurricane-specific warning systems. Marengo County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Marengo County is 9.4 composite risk points below the Alabama state mean, meaning most other Alabama counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Marengo 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 Marengo County, AL?
Marengo County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 52th 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 Marengo County?
Marengo County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (79th percentile), hurricane (77th percentile), earthquake (73th percentile), flooding (51th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 79th 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 Marengo County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Marengo County's composite risk percentile is 52th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Marengo County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Marengo County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Marengo County's tornado risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Marengo County is at the 51th 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 Marengo County a safe place to live?
Marengo County's composite risk score of 52th 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 tornado at the 79th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Sumter County

Alabama

+0.9

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Geneva County

Alabama

+1.2

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Clarke County

Alabama

+1.2

Relatively Low

53th 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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