Photo: Russell Lee · Public domainFor tornadoes, Adamsville’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adamsville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #15 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Adamsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Adamsville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Adamsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Adamsville, and Adamsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #15 of 187 in Alabama; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Adamsville’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Alabama town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Adamsville has less expected damage per building than 92% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Adamsville: $772K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Adamsville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Adamsville, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Adamsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Adamsville
Disasters that paid out in Adamsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Adamsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding106 households applied for aid$101K aid approved$450K to the City of Adamsville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding159 households applied for aid$30K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes128 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan51 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$5K to the City of Adamsville for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$14K to the City of Adamsville for repairs
Jefferson County has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Adamsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Adamsville archive →Adamsville and its neighbors
Adamsville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adamsville | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Graysville | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Forestdale | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Birmingham | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
| Brookside | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| West Jefferson | — | 581 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Maytown | — | 314 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Adamsville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Adamsville
Is Adamsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adamsville has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #15 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Adamsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Adamsville since 2011, $909 in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Adamsville in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Jefferson County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Adamsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Adamsville’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Adamsville?
By FEMA money that reached Adamsville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2014): 106 households applied for aid, $101K approved, and $450K to the City of Adamsville for repairs.
Is Adamsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Adamsville’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Adamsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Adamsville’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.