Fort Payne, AL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Fort Payne is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for DeKalb County, AL. The county's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, tornado, and cold wave.
Storm events near Fort Payne
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Fort Payne's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Fort Payne 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 DeKalb County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Fort Payne along with the rest of the county, not a Fort Payne-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 73.8 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 81.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 85.6 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 64 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 88.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 87.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 87.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 55.3 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 69.7 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 65.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 87 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 73.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 90.8 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 77.6 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full DeKalb County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on DeKalb County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Fort Payne, AL at risk of?
Fort Payne 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 DeKalb County, where Fort Payne is located, are strong wind, tornado, and cold wave.
What is Fort Payne's biggest natural hazard risk?
Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for DeKalb County, where Fort Payne is located, scoring 90.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Fort Payne a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Fort Payne carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for DeKalb County.
Has Fort Payne had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 24 tornado, 56 hail, 99 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Fort Payne since 2016.