Helena, AL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Helena 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 Shelby County, AL. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, landslide, and inland flooding.
Storm events near Helena
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Helena's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Helena 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 Shelby County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Helena along with the rest of the county, not a Helena-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 74.3 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 91.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 84.5 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 88.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 98.3 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 86.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 49.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 55.3 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 66 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 64 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 92.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 91.6 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 78.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 29.6 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Shelby County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Shelby County:
More on Shelby County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Helena, AL at risk of?
Helena 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 Shelby County, where Helena is located, are tornado, landslide, and inland flooding.
What is Helena's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Shelby County, where Helena is located, scoring 98.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Helena a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Helena 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 Shelby County.
Has Helena had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 39 tornado, 48 hail, 83 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Helena since 2016.