Gulf Shores, AL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Gulf Shores is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Baldwin County, AL. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, lightning, and tornado.
Storm events near Gulf Shores
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Gulf Shores's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Gulf Shores 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 Baldwin County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Gulf Shores along with the rest of the county, not a Gulf Shores-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 90.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 92.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 85.8 | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | 72.4 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 92.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 92.8 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 80.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 74.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 63.2 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 99.2 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | 48.3 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 65.1 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 98.9 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 85.1 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 59.3 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Baldwin County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Baldwin County:
More on Baldwin County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Gulf Shores, AL at risk of?
Gulf Shores 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 Baldwin County, where Gulf Shores is located, are hurricane, lightning, and tornado.
What is Gulf Shores's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Baldwin County, where Gulf Shores is located, scoring 99.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Gulf Shores a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Gulf Shores carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Baldwin County.
Has Gulf Shores had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 21 tornado, 29 hail, 56 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Gulf Shores since 2016.