Pickens County Disaster Risk
Pickens County, Alabama
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
45th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#49
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 28% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Pickens County, Alabama
Pickens County sits below national average
Pickens County's composite risk score of 44.69 earns a 'Relatively Low' rating and falls 17 points below Alabama's state average of 61.54. This places Pickens among the nation's lower-risk counties overall.
Bottom quartile of risk in Alabama
Pickens County ranks in Alabama's lower half for disaster risk, with a 44.69 score that trails the state average significantly. Only Perry (18.83), Randolph (30.60), and a handful of other counties rank safer.
Similar risk to Pike and Monroe counties
Pickens County's 44.69 score aligns closely with Pike County (43.99) and Monroe County (48.66), creating a band of relatively low-risk counties in Alabama's south-central region. All three score well below state average and far below Montgomery's 91.83.
Tornado and earthquake deserve attention
Tornado risk (76.18) and earthquake risk (78.53) are Pickens County's primary concerns, though both remain below state average. Flood risk (41.86) and wildfire risk (27.89) pose minimal threat, while hurricane risk (69.25) reflects some distant Gulf exposure.
Standard coverage with tornado readiness
Pickens County residents should maintain standard homeowner insurance and develop a tornado safety plan given the 76.18 tornado risk. Earthquake coverage is less critical but worth reviewing; most residents won't need specialized flood insurance given the 41.86 flood score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Pickens County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Pickens County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 45th, Pickens County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Being ranked at the 45th percentile nationally is an advantage for Pickens County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Pickens County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (69th percentile), flood (42th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 79th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Pickens County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Alongside earthquake exposure, Pickens County's tornado risk at the 76th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Pickens County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.
Regional Context
Pickens County falls 16.9 points below Alabama's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.
Is your household prepared for Pickens County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Pickens County, AL?
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How does Pickens County risk compare to the Alabama average?
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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.