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

Monroe County Disaster Risk

Monroe County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

49th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#44

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 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Monroe County, Alabama

Monroe County sits below national risk

Monroe County's composite risk score of 48.66 earns a 'Relatively Low' rating and falls well below both the state average (61.54) and typical national risk benchmarks. This makes Monroe one of Alabama's safer counties for most disaster types.

Middle of the pack in Alabama

Monroe County ranks in the lower half of Alabama counties by disaster risk, with its 48.66 score sitting 13 points below state average. It avoids the extreme exposure that challenges counties like Mobile, Montgomery, and Morgan.

Safer than nearby Pike and Montgomery

Monroe County's 48.66 score mirrors Pike County (43.99) and Pickens County (44.69), creating a cluster of relatively lower-risk counties in south-central Alabama. All three score substantially below the state average and nearby Montgomery County's 91.83.

Hurricane risk still warrants attention

Although Monroe ranks low overall, its hurricane risk of 87.94 stands notably elevated—a reflection of its proximity to the Gulf and coastal weather systems. Tornado risk (60.59) is moderate, while flood, wildfire, and earthquake risks all remain below 60.

Basic coverage likely adequate here

Monroe County's low composite risk suggests standard homeowner insurance may suffice for most residents, though hurricane preparedness and a flood insurance policy are wise given the 87.94 hurricane score. Review your coverage annually and consider a wind rider if rebuilding costs have increased.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Monroe County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    61th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    51th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Monroe County

Risk Verdict

Monroe County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 49th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Monroe County's 49th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Monroe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (51th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), flood (42th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Monroe County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 88th 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. Monroe County's tornado exposure at the 61th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Monroe 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 Monroe County's score by 12.9 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Monroe 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 Monroe County, AL?
Monroe County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 49th 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 Monroe County?
Monroe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (88th percentile), tornado (61th percentile), earthquake (51th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), flooding (42th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 88th 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 Monroe County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Monroe County's composite risk percentile is 49th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Monroe County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Monroe County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Monroe County's hurricane risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Monroe 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 Monroe County a safe place to live?
Monroe County's composite risk score of 49th 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 88th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Barbour County

Alabama

-0.5

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Chambers County

Alabama

-1.4

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Washington County

Alabama

-3.0

Relatively Low

46th 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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