Gardendale, AL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Gardendale is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Jefferson County, AL. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, lightning, and cold wave.
Storm events near Gardendale
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Gardendale's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Gardendale 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 Jefferson County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Gardendale along with the rest of the county, not a Gardendale-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 79.1 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 98.1 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 96.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 97.6 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 99.6 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 98.5 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 26.8 | Very Low |
| Hail | 32.1 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 76.6 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 87.7 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 94.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 99.5 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 97.6 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 79.5 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Jefferson County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Jefferson County:
More on Jefferson County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Gardendale, AL at risk of?
Gardendale is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Jefferson County, where Gardendale is located, are tornado, lightning, and cold wave.
What is Gardendale's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Jefferson County, where Gardendale is located, scoring 99.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Gardendale a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Gardendale carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Jefferson County.
Has Gardendale had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 30 tornado, 85 hail, 80 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Gardendale since 2016.