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

Perry County Disaster Risk

Perry County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#66

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

22th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Perry County, Alabama

Perry County ranks among safest nationally

Perry County's composite risk score of just 18.83 earns a 'Very Low' rating and stands dramatically below Alabama's state average of 61.54. This places Perry among the lowest-risk counties in the United States across multiple hazard types.

Lowest-risk county in Alabama

Perry County ranks as Alabama's safest county by composite disaster risk, with an 18.83 score that sits 43 points below the state average. Only Randolph County (30.60) approaches Perry's exceptionally low risk profile.

Safest in its region by far

Perry County's 18.83 score is roughly one-third the risk of neighboring Pickens (44.69) and Pike (43.99) counties, and less than one-half of Montgomery's 91.83. Perry stands out as an oasis of low hazard exposure in its part of the state.

Risks remain minimal across the board

Even Perry's highest risk category—hurricane (69.30)—falls below state average, while flood (22.46), wildfire (23.16), and tornado (53.66) risks all rank as low. Earthquake risk at 61.10 is the only score approaching state-level benchmarks.

Standard homeowner coverage should suffice

Perry County's very low composite risk means a standard homeowner insurance policy typically provides adequate protection for most residents. Annual policy reviews and maintaining good home maintenance practices will keep you well-protected against the county's minimal natural disaster exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Perry County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    69th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    61th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Perry County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Perry County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 19th percentile. A 19th percentile score positions Perry 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 Perry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (54th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile), flood (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 69th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Perry County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Perry County's earthquake 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. For Perry County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Perry County is 42.7 composite risk points below the Alabama state mean, meaning most other Alabama counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Perry 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 Perry County, AL?
Perry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Perry County?
Perry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (69th percentile), earthquake (61th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile), flooding (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 69th 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 Perry County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Perry County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Perry County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Perry County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Perry County's hurricane risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Perry County is at the 22th 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 Perry County a safe place to live?
Perry County's composite risk score of 19th 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 69th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.