Winston County Disaster Risk
Winston County, Alabama
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
59th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#36
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
65th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 81% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 63% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Winston County, Alabama
Winston County's moderate national risk
Winston County scores 59.19 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that approaches but remains below the national average. This suggests moderate exposure to combined natural hazards compared to typical U.S. counties.
Close to Alabama's average risk level
At 59.19, Winston County's composite risk sits just 3% below Alabama's state average of 61.54, placing it near the middle of statewide risk distribution. This proximity to the state mean reflects fairly typical hazard exposure for the region.
Highest risk of the three-county group
Winston County scores higher than both Washington County (45.64) and Wilcox County (36.70), making it the most hazard-exposed of the three neighboring counties. Yet it still remains comparable to the state average, indicating moderate rather than elevated overall risk.
Earthquake and tornado risks elevated
Earthquake risk tops Winston County's profile at 81.42, while tornado risk follows closely at 79.23—both well above the state average. Flood risk at 64.73 and hurricane risk at 62.79 add secondary concerns across the county.
Prepare for multiple hazards comprehensively
With earthquake risk at 81.42 and tornado risk at 79.23, Winston County homeowners should ensure policies cover both wind/hail damage and ground shaking—often requiring separate earthquake coverage. Flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program should also be reviewed, especially for properties in flood-prone areas identified in county maps.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Winston County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Winston County
Risk Verdict
Winston County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 59th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Winston County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Winston County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (65th percentile), hurricane (63th percentile), wildfire (59th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 81th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Winston County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Tornado at the 79th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Winston County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Winston County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.
Regional Context
Winston County's composite risk score is within 2.3 points of the Alabama county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Winston County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Winston County, AL?
What types of natural hazards affect Winston County?
How does Winston County risk compare to the Alabama average?
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Is Winston County a safe place to live?
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.