riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

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 Advisory: Winston County

Risk Verdict

Winston County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 59th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Winston County, scoring in the 81th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 79th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (65th), hurricane (63th), wildfire (59th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Winston County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Winston County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Alabama. Its composite risk score is within 2.3 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Alabama as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Winston County, AL?
Winston County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 59th 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 Winston County?
Winston County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (81th percentile), tornado (79th percentile), flooding (65th percentile), hurricane (63th percentile), wildfire (59th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 81th 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 Winston County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Winston County's composite risk percentile is 59th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Winston County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Winston County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Winston County's earthquake risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Winston County is at the 65th 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 Winston County a safe place to live?
Winston County's composite risk score of 59th 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 earthquake at the 81th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Autauga County

Alabama

-1.6

Relatively Low

58th percentile

Cherokee County

Alabama

+4.1

Relatively Low

63th percentile

Russell County

Alabama

-4.5

Relatively Low

55th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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