Gadsden, AL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Gadsden is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Etowah County, AL. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, strong wind, and earthquake.
Storm events near Gadsden
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Gadsden's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Gadsden 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 Etowah County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Gadsden along with the rest of the county, not a Gadsden-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 72.7 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 87.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 88.3 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 77.6 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 97.8 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 77.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 48.3 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 60.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 68.4 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 56.3 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 77.7 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 79 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 94.6 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 27.7 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Etowah County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Etowah County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Gadsden, AL at risk of?
Gadsden is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Etowah County, where Gadsden is located, are tornado, strong wind, and earthquake.
What is Gadsden's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Etowah County, where Gadsden is located, scoring 97.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Gadsden a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Gadsden carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Etowah County.
Has Gadsden had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 33 tornado, 80 hail, 42 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Gadsden since 2016.