Muscle Shoals, AL

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 17,409 · Part of Colbert County

Muscle Shoals is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Colbert County, AL. The county's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, earthquake, and cold wave.

Storm events near Muscle Shoals

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Muscle Shoals's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Muscle Shoals itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 42 events
Hail 86 events
Inland Flooding 174 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Colbert County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Muscle Shoals along with the rest of the county, not a Muscle Shoals-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 28.3 Very Low
Inland Flooding 76.5 Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flooding Not Applicable
Earthquake 92 Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave 81.1 Relatively Moderate
Tornado 87.6 Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 88.4 Relatively Moderate
Drought 60.2 Relatively Low
Hail 27.9 Very Low
Hurricane 60 Relatively Low
Ice Storm 58.9 Relatively Low
Landslide 41.2 Very Low
Lightning 85.4 Relatively High
Strong Wind 96.4 Relatively High
Tsunami Not Applicable
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 31.1 Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Colbert County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

More on Colbert County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Muscle Shoals, AL at risk of?

Muscle Shoals is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Colbert County, where Muscle Shoals is located, are strong wind, earthquake, and cold wave.

What is Muscle Shoals's biggest natural hazard risk?

Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for Colbert County, where Muscle Shoals is located, scoring 96.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").

Is Muscle Shoals a high-risk area for natural disasters?

No — Muscle Shoals carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Colbert County.

Has Muscle Shoals had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 42 tornado, 86 hail, 174 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Muscle Shoals since 2016.