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

Russell County Disaster Risk

Russell County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

55th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#38

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

67th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Russell County, Alabama

Russell County's Risk Below National Average

Russell County scores 54.74 on the composite risk index, earning a relatively low risk rating and placing it well below Alabama's state average of 61.54. This means residents face fewer combined natural disaster threats than most Alabamians, though some individual hazard types still warrant attention.

Safest County Among These Eight

Russell County ranks among the lower-risk counties in this analysis, with a composite score significantly below the state average. Its relatively low exposure positions it favorably compared to peers like Tuscaloosa and Shelby counties, which score above 90.

Lower Risk Than Surrounding Counties

Russell County's 54.74 score edges below nearby Tallapoosa (67.46) and substantially below St. Clair (72.14), making it one of the safer communities in east-central Alabama. Only Sumter County (53.02) ranks lower among this peer group.

Hurricane and Tornado Top Threats

Hurricane risk scores highest at 75.18, followed by flood risk at 66.86 and tornado risk at 58.65. While these scores remain moderate, hurricane preparedness and seasonal storm awareness are essential for Russell County residents.

Secure Your Home Against Storms

With hurricane risk at 75.18, comprehensive wind and storm coverage through homeowners insurance is critical. Russell County residents should review flood coverage separately, as standard policies don't cover flood damage—a layer of protection worth evaluating given the 66.86 flood risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Russell County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    67th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    59th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Russell County

Risk Verdict

Russell County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Russell County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Russell County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (59th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Russell County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 75th 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. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 67th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Russell County independent of hurricane season. Russell 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 Russell County's score by 6.8 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Russell 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 Russell County, AL?
Russell County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 55th 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 Russell County?
Russell County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (75th percentile), flooding (67th percentile), tornado (59th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 75th 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 Russell County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Russell County's composite risk percentile is 55th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Russell County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Russell County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Russell County's hurricane risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Russell County is at the 67th 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 Russell County a safe place to live?
Russell County's composite risk score of 55th 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 75th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Chilton County

Alabama

-0.0

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Clarke County

Alabama

-1.3

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Geneva County

Alabama

-1.4

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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