Athens, AL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Athens is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Limestone County, AL. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, earthquake, and tornado.
Storm events near Athens
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Athens's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Athens itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Limestone County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Athens along with the rest of the county, not a Athens-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 25.8 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 76.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 89.9 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 72.3 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 88.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 93.8 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 75.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 21.2 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 60.2 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 66 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 24 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 56.1 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 54.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 73 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Limestone County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Limestone County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Athens, AL at risk of?
Athens is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Limestone County, where Athens is located, are cold wave, earthquake, and tornado.
What is Athens's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Limestone County, where Athens is located, scoring 93.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Athens a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Athens carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Limestone County.
Has Athens had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 54 tornado, 215 hail, 167 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Athens since 2016.