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

Wilcox County Disaster Risk

Wilcox County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

37th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% 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 51% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wilcox County, Alabama

Wilcox County faces very low national risk

Wilcox County scores 36.70 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating that ranks it among the safest counties in the nation. This indicates substantially reduced exposure to combined natural hazards relative to the national average.

Alabama's safest county by comparison

Wilcox County's composite score of 36.70 sits dramatically below Alabama's state average of 61.54—a 40% improvement that makes it one of the lowest-risk counties statewide. This significant advantage reflects below-average vulnerability across nearly all hazard categories.

Lowest risk in the three-county region

Wilcox County edges out Washington County (45.64) and Winston County (59.19) as the safest among the three, with notably reduced exposure across most hazard types. This lower-risk profile makes Wilcox County a statistically safer location within its immediate region.

Hurricane risk outpaces other hazards

Hurricane risk registers at 76.43, the highest individual threat, though flood risk at 53.09 adds secondary concern. Tornado, earthquake, and wildfire risks all score below 55, indicating relatively contained exposure to these hazards.

Hurricane coverage remains essential

Despite Wilcox County's overall low-risk standing, a hurricane risk score of 76.43 means homeowners should confirm wind and hail coverage on their policies. Standard homeowners insurance often excludes hurricane and wind damage, making supplemental or specialty coverage worth discussing with your agent.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wilcox County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    53th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Wilcox County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Wilcox County ranks at the 37th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. The 37th percentile national ranking is one lens; Wilcox County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Wilcox County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (53th percentile), earthquake (51th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 76th percentile nationally, Wilcox County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 54th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Wilcox County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Wilcox County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 24.8 points below the Alabama state average, Wilcox County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Wilcox 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 Wilcox County, AL?
Wilcox County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 37th 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 Wilcox County?
Wilcox County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (76th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), earthquake (51th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 76th 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 Wilcox County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Wilcox County's composite risk percentile is 37th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wilcox County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Wilcox County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Wilcox County's hurricane risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wilcox County is at the 53th 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 Wilcox County a safe place to live?
Wilcox County's composite risk score of 37th 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 76th 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.