Huntsville, AL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Huntsville is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Madison County, AL. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, strong wind, and lightning.
Storm events near Huntsville
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Huntsville's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Huntsville 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 Madison County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Huntsville along with the rest of the county, not a Huntsville-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 36.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 95.9 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 94.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 94.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 98.5 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 96.6 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 60.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 51.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 70.5 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 90.6 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 35.8 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 96.9 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 97.4 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 95.3 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Madison County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Madison County:
More on Madison County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Huntsville, AL at risk of?
Huntsville 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 Madison County, where Huntsville is located, are tornado, strong wind, and lightning.
What is Huntsville's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Madison County, where Huntsville is located, scoring 98.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Huntsville a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Huntsville carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Madison County.
Has Huntsville had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 48 tornado, 228 hail, 191 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Huntsville since 2016.